Funeral for a Catechumen/Candidate

  • Thread starter Thread starter TrueLight
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

TrueLight

Guest
The CCC teaches that Candidates/Catechumens are already a part of the Catholic church (couldn’t find the exact reference).

What is someone dies before becoming Catholic.

Is one allowed to have a Catholic funeral or burial?

What is one’s family is anti-Catholic, how do you express to them that you want a Catholic funeral?
 
TrueLight said:
The CCC teaches that Candidates/Catechumens are already a part of the Catholic church (couldn’t find the exact reference).

What is someone dies before becoming Catholic.

Is one allowed to have a Catholic funeral or burial?

What is one’s family is anti-Catholic, how do you express to them that you want a Catholic funeral?
Click to expand...
This year one of our fellow canidates died before Easter…but Fr went to give Last rites and brought her into the church. She had a catholic funeral and burial.
 
TrueLight said:
The CCC teaches that Candidates/Catechumens are already a part of the Catholic church (couldn’t find the exact reference).

What is someone dies before becoming Catholic.

Is one allowed to have a Catholic funeral or burial?

What is one’s family is anti-Catholic, how do you express to them that you want a Catholic funeral?
Click to expand...
This quote is taken from the ‘Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults’ section 47: 'From this time on the Church embraces the catechumens as its own with a mother’s love and concern. Joined to the Church, the catechumens are now part of the household of Christ, since the Church nourishes them with the word of God and sustains them by means of liturgical celebrations… One who dies during the catechumenate receives a Christian burial.'

*(This applies to an unbaptized person who has entered RCIA and has proceed from the stage of inquiry (precatechumenate) and has been accepted into the ‘Order of Catechumens.’)
 
CalCatholic said:
This quote is taken from the ‘Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults’ section 47: 'From this time on the Church embraces the catechumens as its own with a mother’s love and concern. Joined to the Church, the catechumens are now part of the household of Christ, since the Church nourishes them with the word of God and sustains them by means of liturgical celebrations… One who dies during the catechumenate receives a Christian burial.'

*(This applies to an unbaptized person who has entered RCIA and has proceed from the stage of inquiry (precatechumenate) and has been accepted into the ‘Order of Catechumens.’)
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
TrueLight said:
Generally? Are ther any reasons they would not be eligible?
Click to expand...
They could be ineligible for the same reasons that a full received Catholic would be ineligible. If they die openly preaching heresy, openly in schism, etc, they could be denied a Catholic funeral and burial. It’s not terrible common. Someone like that would probably not be in RCIA anyway…
 
fermat said:
They could be ineligible for the same reasons that a full received Catholic would be ineligible. If they die openly preaching heresy, openly in schism, etc, they could be denied a Catholic funeral and burial. It’s not terrible common. Someone like that would probably not be in RCIA anyway…
Click to expand...
Okay I understand.

In that case, who would make the determination? The RCIA director/teacher?

Who makes the determination for a confirmed Catholic?
 
TrueLight said:
Okay I understand.

In that case, who would make the determination? The RCIA director/teacher?

Who makes the determination for a confirmed Catholic?
Click to expand...
If someone had reached that point, their dealings would have almost have been brought before the local ordinary (Bishop). A decision that serious would almost certainly need to be made by the bishop (though I am not familiar with which canon would cover that).
 
TrueLight said:
Okay I understand.

In that case, who would make the determination? The RCIA director/teacher?

Who makes the determination for a confirmed Catholic?
Click to expand...
Definitely not the RCIA director (speaking as one myself ;)).

I’m not sure exactly what the process is, but as a general rule those participating in the RCIA program, by nature of their [presumed] intent to enter into full communion with the Church, would have access to the Sacraments if they were in danger of death (subject to the Pastor’s discretion) and would be given a Christian burial if they were to die before completing the RCIA program.

If faced with this kind of situation, I, as RCIA director, would likely not be involved at all…at that point, it becomes a pastoral matter for the Pastor/Priest to handle. Father might wish to ask me some questions regarding the individual’s progression through the RCIA program, but in the end it would be up to him.

God bless you!
 
Well I think I will tell my parents this as I will be a candidate come October, and also remind them to call a Priest ASAP if I am critically ill. Oh and to encourage the offering of plenty of Masses for my soul if I die.

I think it is important to inform your next of kin about such things, especially if none of your family are Christian let alone Catholic! I think I might write something down for them. 🙂
 
asd72 said:
Well I think I will tell my parents this as I will be a candidate come October, and also remind them to call a Priest ASAP if I am critically ill. Oh and to encourage the offering of plenty of Masses for my soul if I die.

I think it is important to inform your next of kin about such things, especially if none of your family are Christian let alone Catholic! I think I might write something down for them. 🙂
Click to expand...
Yeah. I have been thinking about this too.

Thanks everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut.🙂
 
TrueLight said:
The CCC teaches that Candidates/Catechumens are already a part of the Catholic church (couldn’t find the exact reference).

What is someone dies before becoming Catholic.

Is one allowed to have a Catholic funeral or burial?

What is one’s family is anti-Catholic, how do you express to them that you want a Catholic funeral?
Click to expand...
yes someone who has been accepted into the catechumenate may have a Christian burial. You arrange for the funeral you want by informing your next of kin, doing a prepaid funeral with a funeral home who does these, just as anyone would who wants to plan his funeral ahead of time.
TrueLight said:
Okay I understand.

In that case, who would make the determination? The RCIA director/teacher?

Who makes the determination for a confirmed Catholic?
Click to expand...
the pastor decides for anyone to be buried from his parish
but when any person dies the next of kin make the funeral arrangements and the pastor is not going to do anything about it unless they approach the parish.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top