An interesting article at the National Catholic Register.
+++++
De mortuis nil nisi bonum. So goes the ancient Latin aphorism: Speak no ill of the dead. But what of the dead who did so much ill that any speech at all would have to include it?
That’s the dilemma facing Bishop Edward Scharfenberger of Albany, New York. What should he say about Bishop Emeritus Howard Hubbard? Or perhaps he should say nothing?
My note:
It appears that the bishops have created their own hell by ignoring church law which prohibits eulogies at funerals, no matter who is dead:
First of all, the practice of eulogies at Catholic funerals is officially discouraged. In the General Introduction to the Order of Christian Funerals, we are told that a homily is to be given, "but there is never to be a eulogy" (no.27). - SOURCE
I lived and worked in the Diocese of Albany from 1987-1990. My friends at my liberal parish regularly sung "Howard's" praises. But that was before the scandal. 10 minutes of silence, like for Archbishop Wesoliwski, would be best.
ReplyDeleteOnce again the Church could avoid so much trouble if it just followed its own rules. The sermon/homily is not a eulogy and NOTHING needs to be said about the deceased. If there is anything to be said, what should be said is a reminder to the yet-living of the FOUR LAST THINGS.
Delete