Question:fallen away Catholic's entitled to a funeral Mass

[irishpat]

Dear Forum,
I know about a relative who converted into the Catholic church, received the sacraments, but, after they divorced, fell away from the church stopped practicing. Unfortunately the person concerned is dying, while dying his girlfriend of twenty years convinced him to marry, justices of the peace. Now a concerned daughter of the person dying is wondering, can they have a Catholic funeral, can the person recieve the last rites, what do they need to get back in with the church, the person is concerned for the person soul, the person new wife wants a cremation and a service, is it best to try to get a Priest there, basically how can help save a soul, wants to do what is right,
thank you pat

 

[surritter]

The question about whether he’s entitled to a funeral Mass is best answered by a priest who knows the situation – if I recall, there is usually not a problem (the person is not being canonized, but rather being prayed for!).

Even more important, however, is to try to have a priest visit him before the end is at hand. See if he is amenable to having a priest visit him, and the priest can tactfully query him about his relationship with God and the Church.

 

[kristanl]

Yes- I believe that a priest needs to go there as well.
But I am almost 100% sure that the person can still recieve the last rites since technically they are part of the Catholic Church (recieving all of the sacraments). My condolensces for the family in this hard time.

 

[puzzleannie]

The priest should be called immediately if the patient will welcome his visit, so he has the opportunity for the sacraments (these are the “last rites”, confession with absolution, Eucharist and anointing of the sick, on most definitely from a priest only). Who needs the sacraments more than the Catholic who has been separated from the Church?

The person’s next of kin, in this case the wife, has the right to plan the funeral. But yes most pastors will extend the benefit of the doubt and offer a Catholic funeral if the family requests it. But it is of more importance to make sure the gentlemen has the opportunity to see a priest while he is still able to confess and receive absolution. Are you on good enough terms to explain this to the wife, who should allow whatever gives her husband comfort.

 

[FrDavid96]

Dear Forum,
I know about a relative who converted into the Catholic church, received the sacraments, but, after they divorced, fell away from the church stopped practicing. Unfortunately the person concerned is dying, while dying his girlfriend of twenty years convinced him to marry, justices of the peace. Now a concerned daughter of the person dying is wondering, can they have a Catholic funeral, can the person recieve the last rites, what do they need to get back in with the church, the person is concerned for the person soul, the person new wife wants a cremation and a service, is it best to try to get a Priest there, basically how can help save a soul, wants to do what is right,
thank you pat

Contact the pastor, or any available Catholic priest immediately. He needs to have the opportunity to be reconciled to God and the Church–as would anyone approaching the end of life.

Yes, he certainly can receive the Last Rites, yet that depends upon whether or not he wants to (something you haven’t addressed). No matter what, the priest should be there to offer him that opportunity.

Keep in mind that once he’s reconciled to the Church, the question of a Catholic funeral becomes a non-issue, as he will most certainly be entitled to a Catholic funeral when the time comes.

Obviously, you’re very concerned about him or you wouldn’t be posting here. Please contact a priest and arrange for the priest to see him as soon as possible.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I had one case of a lady who was in an invalid marriage and dying. He gave her absolution and all the sacraments. He said that because of her condition the marriage was no longer an issue.

to answer the question of the funeral

THOSE TO WHOM ECCLESIASTICAL FUNERALS MUST BE GRANTED OR DENIED
Can. 1183 §1. When it concerns funerals, catechumens must be counted among the Christian faithful.
§2. The local ordinary can permit children whom the parents intended to baptize but who died before baptism to be given ecclesiastical funerals.
§3. In the prudent judgment of the local ordinary, ecclesiastical funerals can be granted to baptized persons who are enrolled in a non-Catholic Church or ecclesial community unless their intention is evidently to the contrary and provided that their own minister is not available.
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.
§2. If any doubt occurs, the local ordinary is to be consulted, and his judgment must be followed.
Can. 1185 Any funeral Mass must also be denied a person who is excluded from ecclesiastical funerals.

I read this to say that a funeral is permitted unless it is going to cause a huge ruckus. If in doubt check with the bishop.

 

[FrDavid96]

I had one case of a lady who was in an invalid marriage and dying. He gave her absolution and all the sacraments. He said that because of her condition the marriage was no longer an issue.

to answer the question of the funeral
I read this to say that a funeral is permitted unless it is going to cause a huge ruckus. If in doubt check with the bishop.

Joe,
Please read the canon carefully. Ecclesiastical funeral rites are only denied if the person did not repent before death. In the case of a person who does indeed repent–even if this is a last-second deathbead conversion of a notorious sinner, that person is not to be denied a Catholic funeral regardless of what anyone else might think or do. If it might “cause a ruckus” then the priest would have an obligation to explain that the person repented (which can be done without violating the seal of Confession as long as no details are given).

 

[John92]

Yup, pretty sure he is.

It is for God to judge his soul. Even those closest to him can’t pretend to truly know the inner state of him.

The only cases I’ve heard of where people couldn’t receive a funeral were suicide cases, and I’m not sure if even that’s the norm.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Yup, pretty sure he is.

It is for God to judge his soul. Even those closest to him can’t pretend to truly know the inner state of him.

The only cases I’ve heard of where people couldn’t receive a funeral were suicide cases, and I’m not sure if even that’s the norm.

Yeah! The catholic church changed that one. They also changed the whole cremation thing!

And before you eager beavers defend both of those cases, I already know the “reasons” why these changes occured acorrding to your apologists.

The problem is, that many people suffered needlessly over the “possibility of scandal” without anyone giving any benefit of the doubt.

Today, the word “scandal” has little or no meaning anymore.