Different rules for different folk

The letter below 'Guidelines for funeral Masses' appears in today's Irish Times.

Watching the funeral of Edward Kennedy at the weekend it was interesting to see the role that eulogies played within the Mass.


Guidelines for funeral Masses

Madam, – Reading the extract of the eulogy delivered by Nuala Creane at the funeral of her son, Sebastian (August 25th), I am again reminded of the unequal rites in some churches.

I do not wish to be provocative by reopening the debate about inconsistencies in the way guidelines for funeral Masses are applied, with “secular” elements such as popular songs and eulogies being allowed in some cases but not in others, leading to charges that some bereaved are more equal than others. Letters to The Irish Times have previously highlighted the confusion concerning Roman Catholic funerals in Ireland.

Priests have told me they have been instructed not to permit any “secular” elements in the Mass, quoting liturgical correctness as the main reason.

The Catholic primate, Cardinal Seán Brady, has already issued a letter to his priests on the matter. He said the practice of including eulogies in Catholic funerals was to be strongly discouraged. “Requests by members of the family to speak after the prayer after Communion should be firmly but sensitively refused.” It’s clear that church guidelines are interpreted differently from parish to parish as well as from diocese to diocese – and without consistency.
Celebrities seem to be guaranteed more flexibility when it comes to the funeral liturgy. Eulogies seem to be permitted in many cases for this category, highlighting the inconsistency in the implementation of church guidelines.

Yes, a Christian funeral is a sacred occasion and liturgy is important, however the laity, like the ordained, have a role to comfort the bereaved. No one has a monopoly on words of hope, comfort and love.

Nuala Creane delivered a eulogy rich in faith and encouragement “Do we continue in darkness, seeing only fear, anger, bitterness, resentment, blaming, bemoaning our loss, always looking backwards, blaming . . .” These Christian thoughts were lovingly and rightly expressed by Sebastian Creane’s mother and what better place to utter such sentiment than the house of God? – Yours, etc,

VICTOR BOYHAN,
Grange Crescent,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.