Author Topic: Policies for funerals of accused priests (Read 2442 times)

poche · « **on:** March 18, 2014, 02:44:53 AM »

The Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey has announced new policies governing the arrangements for funerals of priests who have been suspended from ministry because of sex-abuse allegations.

Funerals for accused priests should not be held in the parishes where the alleged offenses were reported, the archdiocese said. A letter to the priests of the archdiocese explaining the new policy indicating that it was adopted to avoid causing new negative publicity.

Priests of the archdiocese will be invited to attend the funerals of the accused priests, the new policy says. But public announcements will not give the details of the time and place for the funeral, saying only that the services will be private. Private viewings of the deceased must be held in funeral parlors rather than in churches. Prayer cards may be distributed, but they may not have a photo of the deceased priest.

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=20795

JezusDeKoning · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2014, 09:18:09 AM »

Good. Having these fag pederast criminal priests be buried in the parishes would desecrate them to the point of a need for reparation.

crossbro · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2014, 10:55:30 AM »

What is the point of this policy ?

The point is to just continue on concealing.

I know of a priest in my diocese whose name was thrown into a lawsuit for the sole purpose of adding an organization he represented as a defendant. This single fake accusation was never even investigated. The parties all agreed to settle even though all the accused priests adamantly denied the allegations. The priest I know never had a chance to defend himself.

By policy a panel of 6 was convened to investigate the nature of the situation and they voted 5-1 to re-instate the priest. That was 4 years ago and the bishop has refused to reinstate him or support him in any manner. Basically, the priest is through.

Now notice the policy quoted here is this is for accused priests I believe are still active in the diocese. Meaning no complaint against them was ever criminally proven or strong enough to dismiss them

Basically, that bishop is a coward.

alaric · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2014, 12:24:16 PM »

Quote

because of sex-abuse allegations.

Quote

Funerals for accused priests should not be held in the parishes where the alleged offenses were reported, the archdiocese said

I'm not one for defending pedophile priests but the article mentions nothing about these priests being CONVICTED of anything. Point is, how can you punish these dead priests name and their family/friends for just being "accused"?

People bring frivilous lawsuits against the Chruch all the time look for a big payday, what's to say this isn't the case with many of these clerics?

As much as I despise child-rapists, I despise liars and con-artists who cry "rape" for money even more.Or at least they're not any better.

1st Mansion Tenant · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2014, 01:07:22 PM »

I am not sticking up for perverts at all- I am just wondering why they would not be given funerals the same as any other sinners who (presumably) confessed and received absolution. Especially if they were only accused and it was never proven.

I do understand why they wouldn't be given a funeral in the parish where they offended though.

Sigismund · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2014, 07:35:59 PM »

Quote from: alaric

Quote
because of sex-abuse allegations.

Quote
Funerals for accused priests should not be held in the parishes where the alleged offenses were reported, the archdiocese said

I'm not one for defending pedophile priests but the article mentions nothing about these priests being CONVICTED of anything. Point is, how can you punish these dead priests name and their family/friends for just being "accused"?

People bring frivilous lawsuits against the Chruch all the time look for a big payday, what's to say this isn't the case with many of these clerics?

As much as I despise child-rapists, I despise liars and con-artists who cry "rape" for money even more.Or at least they're not any better.

I have to agree. I despise child molesting priests, and those who are guilty should suffer severe ecclesiastical and civil penalties, but accusation does not equal conviction, and certainly does not equal guilt.

poche · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2014, 11:00:22 PM »

Quote from: 1st Mansion Tenant

I am not sticking up for perverts at all- I am just wondering why they would not be given funerals the same as any other sinners who (presumably) confessed and received absolution. Especially if they were only accused and it was never proven.

I do understand why they wouldn't be given a funeral in the parish where they offended though.

It is based on canon law. This is what cann law says about who can be denied an ecclesiastical funeral;

Can. 1184 §1. Unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals:

1/ notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics;

2/ those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith;

3/ other manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4C.HTM

In this case they are not denying the priest an eccliastical funeral, just a public one.

poche · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2014, 11:03:18 PM »

Quote from: Sigismund

Quote from: alaric
Quote
because of sex-abuse allegations.

Quote
Funerals for accused priests should not be held in the parishes where the alleged offenses were reported, the archdiocese said

I'm not one for defending pedophile priests but the article mentions nothing about these priests being CONVICTED of anything. Point is, how can you punish these dead priests name and their family/friends for just being "accused"?

People bring frivilous lawsuits against the Chruch all the time look for a big payday, what's to say this isn't the case with many of these clerics?

As much as I despise child-rapists, I despise liars and con-artists who cry "rape" for money even more.Or at least they're not any better.

I have to agree. I despise child molesting priests, and those who are guilty should suffer severe ecclesiastical and civil penalties, but accusation does not equal conviction, and certainly does not equal guilt.

That is true. However the public does not always make that distinction. Sometimes the bishop and the people in authority have to make decisions based on the evidence that they have. God, who is infinitly merciful and just will judge the guilty and show mercy to the innocent.

soulguard · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2014, 08:18:49 AM »

We are all guilty in God's sight. We have debts to pay. If we are to be saved we will spend thousands of years in purgatory ( unless you live as extreme as the saints did in agonizing penance every minute of every day).

The way to approach death is this: O Lord, I love thee, and repent of my sins, therefore I am prepared to burn for thee, that I might regain the purity I have lost through my sin.

crossbro · « **Reply #9 on:** March 19, 2014, 11:39:05 AM »

I have a bigger problem with people who commit ѕυιcιdє getting Catholic funerals and false preachers lying and claiming they are in heaven than I do with someone who was accused of something getting a funeral who may have even repented.

Sigismund · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2014, 09:24:06 PM »

Quote from: poche

Quote from: Sigismund
Quote from: alaric
Quote
because of sex-abuse allegations.

Quote
Funerals for accused priests should not be held in the parishes where the alleged offenses were reported, the archdiocese said

I'm not one for defending pedophile priests but the article mentions nothing about these priests being CONVICTED of anything. Point is, how can you punish these dead priests name and their family/friends for just being "accused"?

People bring frivilous lawsuits against the Chruch all the time look for a big payday, what's to say this isn't the case with many of these clerics?

As much as I despise child-rapists, I despise liars and con-artists who cry "rape" for money even more.Or at least they're not any better.

I have to agree. I despise child molesting priests, and those who are guilty should suffer severe ecclesiastical and civil penalties, but accusation does not equal conviction, and certainly does not equal guilt.

That is true. However the public does not always make that distinction. Sometimes the bishop and the people in authority have to make decisions based on the evidence that they have. God, who is infinitly merciful and just will judge the guilty and show mercy to the innocent.

I am sure He will.