Church has chosen doctrine over humanity

A question that might once have merited being burned at the stake was asked some time back: "Does God act like the Church, or does the Church act like God?"

Of late, the Vatican has been castigated for the latter. 

A succession of scandals have left it accused of being cold and aloof: laying down doctrine setting it in an opposite direction to its followers.

The latest announcement from Rome that Catholics who wish to be cremated cannot have their ashes scattered, divided up, or kept at home will upset and confuse many.

Placing a loved one's ashes at a cherished beauty spot was regarded for years as paying homage to God's wonders in an act of loving harmony with His creation. 

But the Church has decreed that cremated remains must now be kept in a sacred, Church-approved place.

Yet since 1963, the Vatican explicitly allowed cremation and there were no restrictions on how ashes were scattered. 

But the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has now decided that the scattering of remains would be seen as a manifestation of "new ideas" which are "contrary to the Church's faith".

So ashes cannot be scattered in the air, land or sea.

The new instruction carries an 'August 15 date', it also says Pope Francis approved it on March 18. 

But the guidelines do not make it clear if they were retroactive, or what people are to do if they have disposed of their loved ones in ways now deemed wrong. If this was an oversight, it is one that does not reflect well on a caring church. It is an extraordinary way to behave, given the sensitivities involved. 

Pope Benedict once said that the slogan 'Jesus yes, Church no,' is totally inconceivable with the intention of Christ. He also said that the individualistically chosen Jesus is an imaginary Jesus." 

That is his wont. 

But as for keeping in touch with its followers?

At one time a woman who gave birth had to undergo a ritual called 'Churching' because she was deemed unclean. 

At another, babies who died before they were baptised were deemed to go to Purgatory, not Heaven. 

Saint Paul wrote to the people of Corinth in an effort to help them to understand the true meaning of Christianity: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 

A little less doctrine, and a little more humanity, and compassion, would be more in keeping with St Paul's message, what ever about the Vatican's.