Cremation & R. C.

[Bellringer]

Is it forbidden by Roman Catholic Church for the deceased to be cremated?

[Theland]

Used to be according to an infallible pope, but then I think another infallible pope said that the first infallible pope had got it wrong, or maybe not coz he was infallible, so maybe it was right at the time , but times change, and so both infallible popes were right after all and their infallibility was not compromised ........ I think

[jake-the-peg]

OOh Theland! are you deliberately stirring mischief or is your knowledge of Christianity truely limited to your own liitle flavour of it.

Popes are only considerred infalible in the rare occasions that they speak ex Cathedrea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_infallibili ty

This hasn't happened since 1950

The Catholic encyclopedia states while involving no necessary contradiction of any article of faith, it is opposed alike to the law of the Church and to the usages of antiquity. In defense of the Church's recent prohibitions, it may be urged that the revival of cremation in modern times has in practice been prompted less by considerations of improved hygiene or psychological sentiment than by avowed materialism and opposition to Catholic teaching

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03071a.htm

[Theland]

J T P - Please, Save the lessons for the Romanists, the converted, shall we say.
Regardless of what Rome says, or wikeipedia, the fact remains, that millions of catholics regard the popes' utterences as divine. (infallible)
Jews died in the full knowledge of Pius 12th, and after WW2, the Rome provided "rat runs " to help Nazis out of Europe. God forgive them.
The infallibility of popes is, is , to use their overused term, "anathaema", to decency, common sense, and reason.
To broaden this debate, (whilst I sleep for the next ten hours), consider the the one word, "Ustasi."
I do not claim to be clever, but I know evil when i see it.
My mickey taking of popes was wrong. It's too serious for that. I apologise.
Faith & Morals? I've seen photographs of nuns putting Jewish kids on cattle trucks bound for Auswitch, and the last of the Magdelene Laundries oly closed in 1997 (I think).
Infallible? Faith & morals?
Bah! Humbug!

[jake-the-peg]

Oh I know, it's amazing what some people will believe isn't it?

[chakka35]

Theland, I find it truly breathtaking that you can (quite rightly) pour scorn on the idea of papal infallibility, yet continually bore us with your view that the unknown writers in the bible are so infallible that you order your life around what they say! I've seen double standards in my life but, if I had a biscuit available, you'd be a worthy taker of it.

[Bellringer]

Instead of getting into theological arguments can somebody just say "Yes" or "No".

[jake-the-peg]

Sorry BR

From what I understand it was for a long time against the practices and teachings of the Catholic Church.

It now appears to be permitted but discouraged in some quarters.

this book is on the official UK Catholic web site

http://www.catholicchurch.org.uk/liturgy/Newsl etter/Reviews/BR-Feb06.html

[dawkins]

RC's bigwigs don't like cremation because it is a violation of the body which was a receptacle of the soul. However, due to space shortages and other modern developments cremation is permitted but not encouraged. What definitely is a no no is scattering the ashes or keeping them at home. No, the ashes must be put in an urn and buried in consecrated ground i.e. you still have to be buried even if you are burnt. Well, that is according to his article anyway:

http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/doc_view.c fm?recnum=645

[Whickerman]

Bellringer, you should be given the job of moderator on this site....!!!! ;-)