From a pastoral point of view, these norms are clear and understandable. However, as a pastor, I must say that I have growing concerns over practices that are appearing with the more widespread use of cremation.
The norms clearly indicate that cremated remains are not to be scattered, divided, or retained in the homes of the faithful on fireplace mantles, on shelves, or in other places. But these norms are somewhat difficult to enforce.
The problem emerges essentially from the detachment of the funeral Mass from interment. When cremation is chosen, it is common for the funeral Mass to be celebrated quickly but the burial to be scheduled at some “later date” when arrangements can be more conveniently made. Frequently clergy are told that the family will “call back” at some point in the future. But often these calls never come and burials are put off indefinitely.
Issues such as money, logistics, and family disputes are often factors in the delay.
Priests, too, are often busy and do not have time to follow up to see if “Uncle Joe” is ready for burial now. As such, many deceased remain unburied for weeks, months, or years, or perhaps never even buried at all.
I was shocked a couple of years ago to discover that a certain Catholic family still had the cremated remains of an uncle on the top shelf of their closet. The delay centered around who in the family was going to pay for the burial lot and debates about whether burial was even necessary at all. Perhaps the ashes could just be scattered out in the woods.
Without the urgency to bury the dead, the burial is often given little regard. - Finish reading here.
Terry Nelson says:March 19, 2015 at 11:07 amExcellent article Father. I wasn’t aware of the variety of developments such as making jewelry with the cremains – as I have heard them referred to. I knew you could make a diamond out of them or send them into space. You suggested fragmentation of the ashes was “ghoulishness and (in) bad taste”. However, since you brought it up, many people regard the collection and veneration of relics, which from ancient times included bodies and body parts, (St. Catherine’s head), bone fragments, and so on to be ghoulish as well. (I don’t – but a lot of people seem to – esp. non-Catholics.)
My point is, I think some people may have that practice in mind when making a diamond out of mom or attempting to keep the ashes.
In Latin countries, the practice of wearing relics or relicarios is a very old tradition. In fact the theca or pendant which holds the relics have a loop to facilitate wearing the relic around the neck. So as ghoulish as it may seem, cremains in a locket may not be all that strange.
Thanks for presenting clear Catholic teaching on the subject however. Your posts are very helpful.
God bless!
Sidestepping orders from the Vatican, Medjugorje “visionary” hosts “apparition” in private home in Missouri ...Deacon Kandra links to the story from Te Deum Laudamus blog:
Ivan Dragicevic thumbs nose at CDF; holds public apparition in private home.Diane calls it 'justification gymnastics' - read more here. I think she hits the nail on the head with her commentary, especially the following:
It was a publicly held event, promoting the alleged apparitions of Medjugorje, in a private residence. That’s the only thing that is private – the house.
If Ivan Dragičević has his ‘apparition’ in a room by himself, then that is truly private. There is no one around to be influenced in such a way that, “promotes the so-called visionaries of Medjugorje and in particular Mr. Ivan Dragičević.” But, there is nothing private about Ivan having an ‘apparition’ in a residence with 10, 25, 75 or 175 people watching – people he does not know, mind you. It’s simply a public event, or meeting, held at a private residence. It promoted the Medjugorje phenomena to everyone in attendance. - Finish here.These mystical events seem to get stranger and stranger, the continuous justification by visionaries and locutionists and their defenders to circumvent authority seems especially problematic for any hope of approval from Church officials. It just seems to add to the confusion faithful Catholics are experiencing in the Church these days.
I saw water flowing out from under the threshold of the temple...
This sprinkler system in alcoves near our back doorways was installed approximately two years ago, after learning from city resources that this kind of system was being commonly used in the Financial District, as a safety, security and cleanliness measure to avoid the situation where needles, feces and other dangerous items were regularly being left in these hidden doorways. The problem was particularly dangerous because students and elderly people regularly pass these locations on their way to school and mass every day. When the system was installed,after other ideas were tried and failed, the people who were regularly sleeping in those doorways were informed in advance that the sprinklers were being installed. The idea was not to remove those persons, but to encourage them to relocate to other areas of the Cathedral, which are protected and safer. The purpose was to make the Cathedral grounds as well as the homeless people who happen to be on those grounds safer. We are sorry that our intentions have been misunderstood and recognize that the method used was ill-conceived. It actually has had the opposite effect from what it was intended to do, and for this we are very sorry. We have also now learned that the system in the first place required a permit and may violate San Francisco water-use laws, and the work to remove this system has already started, and will be completed by the end of the day. - Read the entire statement here.Works for me.
I doubt the Archbishop was even aware of the matter. In my archdiocese the Rector is pretty much in charge of operations at the Cathedral - the Archbishop here doesn't reside at the Cathedral rectory - I don't know the situation in San Francisco.
I have a feeling this is traceable to the city and it's treatment of the homeless as well as possible insurance issues, not to mention sanitation problems. It won't surprise me if Archbishop C initiates a new program or means to care for the homeless who choose the cathedral as a place to spend the night.
I would bet the Archbishop was as surprised as anybody by this story. It will be cleared up in a jiffy - I'm sure. Sadly, the enemies of Cordileone will run with the story because of his stance on Catholic education and faith and morals. - Me
“The pastoral care of persons with homosexual tendencies poses new challenges today, due to the manner in which their rights are proposed in society. How can the Christian community give pastoral attention to families with persons with homosexual tendencies? What are the responses that, in light of cultural sensitivities, are considered to be most appropriate?”
By the mystery of the Incarnation,
he has led the human race that walked in darkness
into the radiance of faith
and has brought those born
in slavery to ancient sin
through the waters of regeneration
to make them your adopted children. - Preface:The Man Born Blind; IV Sunday Lent
I believed in God. - Communion Antiphon
