The Bishop of Meath has infuriatingly banned relatives from speaking about their loved ones at funeral Masses.Rather than embracing the lay people of the Catholic Church and encouraging them to become more involved in ceremonies, I feel this move will further alienate them.
Firstly, I don’t get what is wrong with a spouse, son, daughter, mum or dad standing up and paying tribute to the deceased during the service.
In my view, that is not a “dumbing down” as the cleric seems to think.
It is a chance for grieving family members to play their part in the final farewell with a few well-chosen words.
But what is so unacceptable about this? Nothing, as far as I am concerned and once again I am singing from a different hymn sheet than the Catholic hierarchy.
Bishop Michael Smith has insisted there is no room during the Requiem Mass for a eulogy and if relatives want one it should be done at the graveside.
But why the ban in Meath if tributes are allowed in other dioceses around the country?
Bishop Smith has also directed that secular songs, poems and texts without a Christian content are also not suitable at funerals. It means that for those living in parishes throughout Meath, the favourite song of a family member can no longer be played when the coffin is leaving the church as is often the norm.
This stance is a backward step for the Meath Diocese and I hope others don’t follow suit.
I don’t think it can be left to the celebrant of the Mass to reflect on the life of someone.
I have been at two funerals where the priest got the name of the deceased wrong.
It was devastating for the families and I was so annoyed I had to stop myself from getting up and grabbing the microphone.
The blunder was so disrespectful and I felt so sorry for the grief-stricken relatives.
OK, it wasn’t done intentionally but what an insult for the cleric not to be able to get the deceased’s name right.
Some tributes can be over the top but surely a compromise can be reached where families and priests can agree what is going to be said.
That makes more sense as opposed to scrapping eulogies.
And a concern of Bishop Smith over books of condolences is also puzzling.
In his guidelines, he stated some priests have said they should not be allowed in churches.
Again I have to ask why?
These regulations are further evidence of how removed the Church has become from the flock it’s supposed to serve.
All the bishops will do is widen the divide even more.