Catholics/Funerals

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Expert: Sal - 2/2/2007


Question
A local pro-abortion politician recently died and, to my surprise, received a Catholic funeral Mass at which he was feted and honored as a great man who stuck up for the defenseless. Does the Catholic Church have any official position on giving a funeral Mass to someone who, up to the time of his death, obstinately and publicly promoted a position that was at odds with the Church? Has it ever had an official position on this matter?

Answer
Dear Dan:

My understanding is that the bishop of that diocese may allow such a funeral if he believes that the person may have repented before death. If the person in question had an opportunity to repent before death the Church states that it would rather err on the side of believing in the repentance of the individual. Therefore, the Church does not usually deny questionable individuals a Catholic funeral mass.

God Bless,
Sal

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Sal

Expertise

I love the Catholic Church and her book, the Bible. I will try to answer your questions with an emphasis on God*s Word. I believe the Catholic Church is the Church established by Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world. I can answer questions pertaining to the biblical basis for Catholic beliefs. I can also explain the beliefs of Jehovah*s Witnesses, Mormons, and Seventh Day Adventists as related to Catholic doctrine.

Experience

I have studied the Catholic faith for twenty years. I have conducted adult education classes in the teachings of the Catholic Church. I have taught teenagers the Catholic faith. I have taught Bible Study.
   

Organizations
Knights of Columbus


Publications
Southern Cross

Education/Credentials
College graduate

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