When did the Church allow Catholic burial for unbaptized babies?

[Regina7]

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. It seems that rituals are so important at this time. A funeral is more than praying for a soul. It is also commending the body back to the earth. I wonder why the priest framed the ritual in the way he did. Is this typical?

We had a “service.” He just said he couldn’t read the funeral rites (I think that’s what he called it).

It seemed like a funeral to me, but some of the priest’s prayers were missing I believe. I honestly don’t remember the specifics, but I know Father said we couldn’t have an actual funeral as our daughter didn’t need it. I was in so much grief that I never questioned it. But it certainly makes sense to me.

God won’t cast out his babies. Even an unbaptised child won’t be cast out of heaven. Mom and Dad will have to answer to God about that, but a child incapable of even requesting baptism will not be punished.

 

[pianistclare]

Miscarried or stillborn babies don’t fall into this. “Born into original sin.” They aren’t born alive, so no original sin. My priest said that he couldn’t even do a “real” funeral for my still born daughter because she had no original sin, thus no need to pray for her salvation.

I’m so sorry for your loss.

 

[Regina7]

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Thank you. But I am quite blessed to have three personal saints interceding for me.

I have spoken to quite a few priests and sisters about my babies, and not one has questioned where they reside. I’ve spoken with priests from different diocese and even different countries about this very topic. Not one said that there is only a HOPE that they are in heaven.

Look at the saints. Some have horrific pasts, yet repented and turned to God. I simply cannot believe that God would take those with [confessed and repented] mortal sins but forsake babies. No way.

 

[1ke]

The Church didn’t allow Catholic burial for unbaptized babies until 1983???

And a priest needs his Bishop’s permission???

Hello, please note the canon posted says nothing of burial, it pertains to ecclesiastical funerals only. The canons on cemeteries, 1240-1243, say nothing about the matter.

 

[1ke]

God never has, nor never will, arbitrarily block a child from heaven because of lack of Baptism, regardless of whatever canon law EVER said.

To believe God would is about as blasphemous as one get!

You are conflating two entirely different things-- ecclesiastical funerals and salvation.

 

[DavidFilmer]

Hello, please note the canon posted says nothing of burial, it pertains to ecclesiastical funerals only. The canons on cemeteries, 1240-1243, say nothing about the matter.

Hmmm. Now I am even more confused. C’mon, ke - you’re my Go To guy. I think of “funerals” and “burials” and “cemeteries” as wrapped together in one sad package. I’m naught but a simple layman.

So maybe I should restate my question: when (and how) did the Catholic Church end the prohibition that unbaptized babies cannot receive the funeral rites of the Church, and be buried in consecrated ground in a Catholic cemetery?

And, further: if a modern priest is called upon to perform these rites for an unbaptized baby, does he still need to obtain the consent of his Bishop?

 

[Vico]

… when (and how) did the Catholic Church end the prohibition that unbaptized babies cannot receive the funeral rites of the Church, and be buried in consecrated ground in a Catholic cemetery?

And, further: if a modern priest is called upon to perform these rites for an unbaptized baby, does he still need to obtain the consent of his Bishop?

The Catholic Church promulgated the funeral rite for unbaptized babies in August 15, 1969 (Ordo exsequiarum) and later updated for USCCB Order of Christian Funerals. That changed the severe policy that had kept unbaptized infants from being buried in consecrated ground.

Funerals Rites for Children Part II of the *Order of Christian Funerals *contains:

• a Vigil (243 -263)
• a Funeral Mass (276-294)
• a Funeral Outside Mass (295-315)
• a rite of Committal (316-326)
• a Rite of Committal with Final Commendation (327-336)
• a Rite of Commendation of an Infant (337-342)

Baptized children and children who died before baptism are considered.

Catechism of the Catholic Church****1686 The Order of Christian Funerals (Ordo exsequiarum) of the Roman liturgy gives three types of funeral celebrations, corresponding to the three places in which they are conducted (the home, the church, and the cemetery), and according to the importance attached to them by the family, local customs, the culture, and popular piety. This order of celebration is common to all the liturgical traditions and comprises four principal elements:

 

[DavidFilmer]

The Catholic Church promulgated the funeral rite for unbaptized babies in August 15, 1969 (Ordo exsequiarum) and later updated for USCCB Order of Christian Funerals. That changed the severe policy that had kept unbaptized infants from being buried in consecrated ground.

Thank you, Vico!!!

FWIW, I found this with a quick Google search, and apparently this is also when the Catholic Church ended its prohibition against cremation.

Is an Episcopal dispensation still required for the burial of an unbaptized baby?

 

[Vico]

Thank you, Vico!!!

Is a dispensation still required for this?

Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, answers in 2005:Because of the mystery involved, the celebration of funeral rites for an unbaptized child usually requires the permission of the local bishop who considers the pastoral circumstances involved (see Canon 1183.2 of the Code of Canon Law).
ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur79.htm

 

[DavidFilmer]

Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, answers in 2005:

Because of the mystery involved, the celebration of funeral rites for an unbaptized child usually requires the permission of the local bishop who considers the pastoral circumstances involved (see Canon 1183.2 of the Code of Canon Law).
​

Ah. Thanks again.​