However, wakes, with an open coffin, are not allowed in churches in this diocese.
Bishop Paul Connell issued a clarification yesterday following reports on his guidelines for the use of churches for reposing of remains.
Dr Connell said there has been no change to the traditional Catholic funeral service, which includes a removal of the remains to the church the evening before the funeral mass.
The removal includes prayers for the deceased and afterwards there is an opportunity for people to sympathise with the family.
“The coffin remains closed during this removal service as it does during the funeral mass,” Dr Connell said in his statement.
He also highlighted that there is “no difficulty whatsoever” with the remains reposing overnight in a closed coffin in the church.
In his guidelines, Dr Connell said the diocese was “anxious to facilitate” parishioners in “whatever way we can, particularly at the most sensitive time of a bereavement”.
The Irish Independent understands the bishop’s concerns relate to the prospect of a parish church being used inappropriately during a wake.
One priest said that in some instances, church wakes have ‘got out of hand’ and were turned into social events
This can arise when the deceased cannot be waked at home or in a funeral home, and so is taken to the church.
One priest said that in some instances, church wakes have “got out of hand” and were turned into social events.
Today’s News in 90 seconds – Tuesday, February 24
According to the new guidelines, the use of a church for such a purpose is “inappropriate given the sacred nature of the building and in particular the presence of the blessed sacrament”.
A church is designed for public worship and quiet prayer and reflection, but reposing by its nature may involve loud engagement and even the provision of hospitality, the guidance states, and adds that parish halls, parish centres or other parish properties for reposing is “quite acceptable and poses no difficulty”.
A spokesperson for the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois, Fr Tom Cox, told the Irish Independent that Dr Connell had been anxious to clarify the purpose of a church.
He said clergy as well as parish councils had been consulted about the guidelines.
According to one priest, “some very strange practices had developed” at some wakes in churches.
#Removals #allowed #wakes #parish #churchesBishop #Ardagh #Clonmacnois #clarifies
