Bp Morlino takes heat for correcting funeral liturgies in his diocese

Pres Obama delivering canonization
eulogy at Sen Ted Kennedy's Catholic funeral Mass

MADISON, Wis. -- Some in the Catholic Diocese of Madison are upset over a recent mandate ending family remembrances and eulogies at funeral Masses.

It happened to Dane County Supervisor Dianne Hesselbein on Monday. She spent hours over the weekend to come up with a few short words to remember her father."

It was about my dad -- this was about my kids' grandfather," Hesselbein said.

And she said she couldn't believe her ears when she was told just minutes before her father's funeral on Monday that she would not be allowed to speak."

This is a tribute to my father that we all agreed that I would be the only one to speak on," Hesselbein said. "And they said I couldn't do it, because the bishop made this recent decision."

That decision came from Madison Bishop Robert Morlino last month. By phone, he told WISC-TV these "family remembrances" during a funeral Mass are a major distraction from what the Mass should be about.

In a letter to diocese churches, the bishop said, "I am asking that such words of remembrance not be spoken at any time during the funeral liturgy in the Diocese of Madison." [Isn't that the whole point of a wake?]

He goes on to say family would have the opportunity to share words of remembrance "In some other setting outside of the sacred liturgy, such as during the visitation ... at the cemetery ... or at the funeral banquet."

"I don't want to be kind of piling up too many other concerns at the Mass," Morlino told WISC-TV.

In fact, Morlino said such remembrances -- or eulogies -- have never been allowed during Catholic Mass. But he said rules have been bent over the years, so it's been happening more often than not.

But for those like Hesselbein who want to remember their loved ones with their words -- it's news that's hard to take.

"There's a way to have a compromise," Hesselbein said. "Because I was not granted closure. I was not granted the opportunity to celebrate my dad.  [Funeral fail.  Funerals are for praying for the deceased.  Exactly why this type of correction is so dearly needed.]

"Madison's Call to Action group, an organization that's been very critical of Morlino's decisions over the years, said it is outraged over the move. The group is encouraging others if they're not happy with their church, to move to another one.  [Great point!]

Hesselbein said she's worried if more decisions like this are made, the Catholic Church will lose more members.  [Turns out it's not a popularity contest.]

Ch3k

A few years ago I had a great aunt pass away in the Chippewa Falls area.  One of my cousins said on the way, "let's go celebrate the life of Aunt Gertie."  ... Um, Aunt Gertie had a Traditional Requiem Mass for her funeral.  She knew what funerals were for.  Let's just say Aunt Gertie rolled over before she was even in her grave that day. 

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