QUESTIONS ABOUT CREMATION

There have been fights over the cremation issue with some neo-pastors. Apparently, some, if not all neo-pastors (sad that we even have to distinguish like this) have been said to refuse a Funeral Mass in the presence of cremated remains, forcing grieving families to call around to find a parish and a pastor who will celebrate the Funeral Mass for their deceased and cremated loved one. This has added to the division in our diocese.

In the face of such diverse practices and opinions - varying from pastor to pastor, and in the absence of clear instruction from the chancery, we should be aware of the following:

SOMEONE ELSE IS RUNNING THINGS

The situation in Agat these last few days exposes something many of us suspect: SOMEONE ELSE is running things. 

The Archdiocese has an official policy, promulgated in its Statute, relative to a funeral Mass in the presence of cremated remains.

Fr. Jason Granado, the pastor, who denied the funeral Mass to the subject family, could not have been ignorant of that Statute. As a priest ordained and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Agana, and especially as a pastor, it is unthinkable that he did not have a copy of the Statute or at least know where to find it. 

Before I go on, let me say that I know and like Fr. Jason, and have known him since his earliest days at the seminary. Also as a resident of Agat, I see him from time to time in social settings and he appears to be well liked by the parishioners. In short, he is a good and sincere priest and of a kind and compassionate disposition.

So then why the refusal of a funeral Mass to the grieving family? 

The Church allows for only two possibilities: 1) the cremation of the remains was inspired by motives contrary to Christian teaching (Can. 1176 § 3), or 2) a funeral Mass had already taken place.

According to the family member, the family is deeply Catholic and never would have done anything purposely contrary to the Catholic faith (which is why they desperately wanted a funeral Mass). The remains were cremated for economic reasons. Their loved one was killed in the states and the remains had to be transported back to Guam. There was also no prior funeral Mass, the family wanting the funeral to be held on Guam.

So we have the following:

1. The promulgated Statute of the Archdiocese of Agana allowing for a funeral Mass in the presence of cremated remains
2. No canonical impediment to the celebration of a funeral Mass in the presence of cremated remains.
3. A pastor who could not have been ignorant of 1 and 2 but still refused a funeral Mass in the presence of cremated remains.

Thus, unless the Archbishop was willing to violate the Statute he himself promulgated, the only possible answer is that Fr. Jason is taking orders from someone else. I think it's the latter. And I further think that this sad little episode gives us a peephole into a much larger problem...much, much larger. 

Statutes of the Archdiocese of Agana, Part II, Chapter 4, Section 61.2

"In the event that the family of the deceased has the body cremated prior to the funeral mass, the funeral rites are to be celebrated….in such cases, the urn of the ashes may be brought to the church placed in the center aisle on an appropriate suitable table with the lighted Paschal candle. The Eucharist and customary prayers of commendation are conducted as if the casket were present. Burial takes place at the cemetery with the usual prayers."

- Statutes of the Archdiocese of Agana, Part II, Chapter 4, Section 61.2

Promulgated July 1996. So unless there has since been an update...

AGAT UPDATE

The family of the murdered man was given an extra 30 minutes for the viewing (1 hour instead of just the original 30 minutes). However, still no funeral Mass, only a Memorial. For the original story go here.

For those wondering about why have a viewing at all if the remains are already cremated, it's really not about the "viewing" since closed casket viewings are not uncommon. It's about paying respect to the person who died and respect to the family.

The diocesan policy really does need to be clarified. There have been other funeral Masses in the presence of cremated remains here on Guam. Does each pastor get to decide for himself?

THIS JUST IN FROM AGAT

It was reported to me this morning that a local pastor is refusing to allow a funeral Mass for a person who was murdered in the mainland and whose cremated remains were returned home to Guam for burial. 

According to the family member, Fr. Jason, the pastor of the Agat parish, has told them that because the body isn't present, the family could not ask for a Funeral Mass but only a Memorial Mass. The family member also reported that they are being given only 30 minutes for "viewing" because there is no body (just the cremated remains).