VAC LISTSERV QUESTION
DIOCESAN PROTOCOLS FOR FUNERALS OF A
CREDIBLY ACCUSED PRIEST
September 16, 2009
The issue of diocesan protocols for the funerals of the credibly accused priest has
been frequently raised to this office in the last few weeks. We have a few
protocols on file but not many. Since this is a victim sensitive issue, I am sending
this e-mail to you so you will know this is a current issue, we are working on
compiling a resource for you, but need your help!
If you have a diocesan policy concerning protocols for the funeral of a credibly
accused priest, would you please send it to me?
Teresa
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Anonymous Diocese
Fort Wayne-South Bend
Green Bay
Milwaukee
Owensboro
Rochester
Seattle
St. Augustine
Detroit
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Anonymous Diocese
You had asked for funeral protocol. Here is what our practice is. Please treat it confidentially as
it is not a published policy.
Protocol for priests credibly accused and publicly removed from ministry but not laicized.
If there is an announcement in the local paper he cannot be listed by the title Father.
If there is a wake he cannot be in liturgical attire or in a collar unless the coffin is closed.
The Bishop may preside at the liturgy of Christian burial.
Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana
The substance of protocols for funeral Masses for the "credibly accused" for the Diocese of FwSB.
"Funerals may be pre-planned by the priest and his family, but the Vicar General/ Chancellor of
the diocese would work with the family concerning funeral arrangements which would involve a
church and funeral Mass. The obituary caption should not use title "Reverend" or "Father", only
the man's name. The announcement could mention that he was a priest of the diocese and list the
parishes where he served. The funeral Mass should not take place in any parish where the cleric
previously served......It is possible to tell families that the funeral Mass should be limited in size
and scope, perhaps to immdediate family only? That could be discussed with the family.
The public obituary notice should not provide details concerning the date, time, location of the
wake, vigil service, or the Mass, but simply say, "at the conveninece of the family." Notices
would not be sent to the priests of the diocese concerning the funeral of such a priest.....This
policy would ensure the privacy of the family and friends of a priest suspended or relieved of
ministry."
Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin
[See next page.]
REV. 10/30/06
Funeral Arrangements for Priests Removed from
Active Priestly Ministry but not Dismissed from the Clerical State
The following guidelines have been designated to:
1.) aid a priest in the above category in planning his funeral.
2.) aid designated family or friend of the deceased at the time of death and,
3.) help those affected by the actions of the priest understand how the diocese is responsive
to their situation and concerns.
Upon the death of a priest in the above category, the Vicar for Ministers makes contact with a
designated family member or friend of the deceased. Arrangements should then be made with
the funeral director of choice regarding the date, time and place of Mass of Christian Burial and
Internment according to the guidelines below.
1.
The Mass of Christian Burial may be held in any parish, institution or St. Joseph Chapel
on the diocesan complex as long as it is not any parish or church
a.) To which the deceased has been assigned or
b.) In which he was in residence during his years of priestly ministry in the Diocese of
Green Bay.
2.
The Vicar for Ministers should be in contact with the Pastor or Parochial Vicar of the
parish church in which the Mass of Christian Burial is to be celebrated prior to making
final arrangements for the funeral liturgy.
3.
As long as there were no canonical restrictions prohibiting the deceased priest from the
private celebration of the Eucharist, the priest may be vested in Mass vestments. In this
case, only a private viewing for the immediate family is permissible.
4.
If the priest is dressed in secular clothes, there may be a public viewing.
5.
The homilist for the Mass of Christian Burial may be pre-designated by the deceased or
may be the Pastor or Parochial Vicar of the parish where the Mass of Christian Burial is
to be celebrated.
6.
All priests, religious and diocesan, will be notified of the arrangements for the funeral
and encouraged to participate.
7.
There should be no indication of time, place and date for the Mass of Christian Burial or
Internment in the obituary. The obituary should read: Services and burial will be held at
the convenience of the family. A notation that the deceased has served as a priest in the
Diocese of Green Bay may be included in the obituary.
8.
The title of Reverend or Father may be used in the obituary and may appear on the
headstone in the cemetery.
9.
Where applicable, the Diocesan Assistance Coordinator will contact as many victim
survivors as possible after the funeral and give them notice of the priest/deacon death,
and offer them any appropriate support.
*The above guidelines may be adjusted by the Bishop according to particular circumstances.
Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I. Funerals: The individual priest is notified: “In order to avoid any distress or confusion at
the time of your death, it would be best to advise your family and the executor of your
will that you will be accorded a Funeral Mass and, if within the Diocese, at a church
or chapel selected by the Diocese which is convenient for your family. There is to be
no viewing in church. There is to be no eulogy and the homilist will be designated by
the Bishop. There will be no publication of an obituary in the Diocesan press.”
Funeral Arrangements for Priests removed from
Active Priestly Ministry but not Laicized
1. The appropriate arrangements should be made with the funeral Director of choice regarding
the date, time, and place of Mass of Christian Burial and Interment.
2. The Mass of Christian Burial may not be held in any parish church to which the deceased had
been assigned or in which he was in residence during his years of priestly ministry.
3. The pastor or parochial vicar of the parish church in which the Mass of Christian Burial is to
be celebrated should be in contact with the Vicar for Clergy prior to making any final
arrangements for the funeral liturgy.
4. It would be appropriate for the deceased to be vested in Mass Vestments as long as there
were no canonical restrictions prohibiting the deceased from the private celebration of the
Eucharist.
5. A private viewing for the members of the immediate family is permissible although there
should be no public visitation prior to the Mass of Christian Burial. Casket should be closed
immediately after family viewing.
6. The celebrant and homilist for the Mass of Christian Burial may be pre-designated by the
deceased or may be the pastor or parochial vicar of the parish in which Mass of Christian
Burial is to be celebrated.
7. All deacons and priests, religious and diocesan, will be notified of the arrangements for the
funeral and encouraged to participate.
8. There should be no indication of time, place and date for the Mass of Christian Burial or
Interment in the obituary. The obituary should read: Services and burial will be held at the
convenience of the family. A notation that the deceased had served as a priest may be
included in the obituary.
9. The title of Reverend or Father is not to be used in the obituary but may appear on the
headstone in the cemetery.
Diocese of Owensboro
Attached is a more detailed document regarding the funeral protocol for the “Charter priests.” I
cannot recall from whom we obtained the info but it is certainly helpful.
Diocese of Rochester, New York
Regarding men who credible allegations came in - I offer the following, in addition to the Bishop
celebrating their funerals when he is in town - they are not laid out in clerical garb, usually a
black suit, they used adapted prayers suitable for the occasion, but keeping victim/survivors in
mind, there is no evening prayer the night before, the diocese does not provide prayer cards, but
if the family arranges for the funeral home to print them, the priest's picture is not on them, as
they are for other priests. The place of the funeral is also selected with the victim/survivors in
mind.
Archdiocese of Seattle, Washington
APPENDIX F:
POLICY FOR FUNERALS FOR PRIESTS REMOVED FROM
MINISTRY (BUT NOT LAICIZED), ACCORDING TO THE
NORMS OF THE DALLAS CHARTER
Acknowledging the difficult experience that has occurred in the life of the Church as the Body of
Christ, the following policy has been developed at the request of the Archbishop of Seattle.
Through the consultative efforts of the Presbyteral Council and the Archdiocesan Review Board,
we wish to express the need to focus on God’s healing love and mercy. Through these efforts, we
express our prayerful support to the victims of clergy sexual abuse. And, in sympathy to the
families of priests removed from the active ministry, in particular, parents and siblings, the desire
to provide assistance at the time of death. It is with compassion for those who have been hurt,
with prayerful desire for God’s mercy on those removed from ministry, that this policy has been
implemented for the benefit of the people of God of the Archdiocese of Seattle.
As Christian faithful, we gather at the time of death to affirm our hope in the Lord’s promise of
resurrection. Through baptism, the Christian person has been marked for eternal life (Ordo
Exsequiarum, 10), and so, the body, a temple of the Holy Spirit, is honored with Christian burial.
As the Christian community gathers, it does so trusting in the mercy of God. The Archdiocese
puts forth this policy for priests removed from ministry, yet not laicized, thrusting in God’s
mercy and forgiveness.
1. Upon the death of a priest removed from the active ministry, but not laicized, the responsible
party for the deceased is invited to contact the Office of the Archbishop. The Archbishop’s
secretary is then to notify the Office of the Vicar for Clergy of the death.
a. Because a priest’s funeral is considered a diocesan liturgy, the Office of the Vicar for
Clergy will contact the priest assigned to coordinate priest funerals so as to provide
guidance to the pastor of the host parish in the planning of the funeral liturgy.
Arrangements are to be finalized through the Office of the Vicar for Clergy, jointly with
the Archbishop’s Office for Liturgy.
b. The Office of the Vicar for Clergy is to contact the family of the decedent to assist them
in making arrangements with a funeral director and to establish the date, time, and place
of the Mass of Christian Burial and interment.
c. The Office of the Vicar for Clergy can assist the family in determining an appropriate
location for the Mass of Christian Burial. The Funeral Mass may not be held in any parish
to which the deceased had been assigned or in which he was in residence during his years
of priestly ministry.
2. The Office of the Archbishop, or his designate, will assign a celebrant and/or homilist. If the
decedent has specified a presider and/or homilist in his Last Will and Testament, such
testimonials will be honored to the degree it is possible or deemed appropriate. As instructed by
Order of Christian Funerals (OCF), the music selected is to reflect a simple beauty and
reverence (OCF, 21). As in the case of all Funeral Masses, care is to be taken that the tone of all
aspects of the Mass be one of celebrating the Paschal Mystery and trusting in God’s mercy and
forgiveness.
3. In keeping with the OCF, the homilist is asked to “dwell on God’s compassionate love and on
the Paschal Mystery of the Lord” in the homily (OCF, 27). The OCF further reminds us that the
Church intercedes on behalf of the deceased, while at the same time, bringing consolation to the
sorrowful through the Eucharist and the Word of God (OCF, 4). The homilist must keep in mind
the responsibility of brining comfort to the sorrowing while being sensitive to victims who must
carry the burden of their experience. Therefore, as is required in the OCF, “there is never to be a
eulogy.” (OCF, 27)
4. The deceased may not be vested in Mass vestments if there were canonical restrictions
prohibiting the decedent from the public celebration of the Eucharist.
5. Public viewing of the decedent is to take place at a funeral home. Public viewing on the day of
the Mass of Christian Burial may take place at the designated church; however, the body is to be
reposed in an area separate from the center aisle of the church.
6. The death notice from the Office of the Archbishop, sent to all priests, may list the date, time,
and location of the Mass of Christian Burial and the place of interment. The use of the term
“Father” or “Reverend” is not permitted. The decedent’s ministerial assignments may be listed
and must include the statement “removed from active ministry according to the norms of the
Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.”
7. The obituary in The Catholic Northwest Progress newspaper may list the date and location of
the Mass of Christian Burial and the place of interment. The use of the term “Father” or
“Reverend” is not permitted. The decedents ministerial assignments may be listed and must
include the statement “removed from active ministry according to the norms of the Dallas
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.” Testimonial quotes and/or anecdotes
about the decedent should be avoided. A photo of the priest in clerical garb may not be used. The
decedent’s family, in preparing an obituary for the secular press, is encouraged to follow this
particular aspect of policy.
8. Any desire on the part of the family of the decedent to deviate from these guidelines must be
presented to the Office of the Vicar for Clergy for consideration and approval.
9. In notorious cases or where there is a grave concern for public scandal, the Archbishop
reserves the right to make the final decisions regarding all funeral arrangements.
Adapted with permission from the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida
Funerals of Unlaicized Priests Who Were Inactive or Removed from Active Ministry
Introduction. The following policy is applicable in the Diocese of St. Augustine to the extent
that the diocese, or any parish in the diocese, has control of, or influence over the funeral
arrangements for an unlaicized priest who has been inactive or has been removed from active
ministry.
Purpose. All who have been ordained to the presbyterate share in the one priesthood of Jesus
Christ, the great High Priest - even those who, though unlaicized, have chosen to leave active
ministry, or have been removed from active ministry. At times of mourning and grief the oneness
of the priesthood and the compassion and mercy of Christ are mere empty words if not
appropriately expressed. To that end, recognizing that we all respond to the call of Christ as
wounded healers, and without in any way condoning past wrongs, this policy seeks to:
1. rejoice in the hope of resurrection and forgiveness,
2. honor the priestly dignity of the deceased to the extent possible, consistent with the wishes of
family members and any expressed wishes of the deceased priest himself,
3. avoid confusion and misunderstanding at a time of bereavement,
4. avoid insensitivity to anyone who may have been victimized by past wrongs, and any scandal
or confusion which could result among the faithful, and
5. foster an atmosphere expressive of Christian charity and devoid of recrimination.
Announcements and Wake. The death, wake and funeral arrangements (to the extent known)
of a priest who, though unlaicized, has left active ministry or been removed from active ministry
should be announced to the presbyterate in the same manner as that of a priest in active ministry
at the time of his death. The announcement to the presbyterate should refer to the deceased as
"Reverend" or "Father," but should also note simply that he was not in active ministry at the time
of his death.
The obituary in a secular publication should not refer to the deceased as "Reverend" or "Father."
This is especially so if the deceased labored under a canonical penalty or restriction which
prohibited him from identifying himself as a priest. The obituary may properly note, however,
that the deceased had served as a priest in the Diocese of St. Augustine or elsewhere.
A wake may be held for the deceased priest at the funeral home which is charged with making
the appropriate arrangements, or elsewhere as the pastor of the parish in which the Mass of
Christian Burial is to be held so designates.
Mass of Christian Burial. A Mass of Christian Burial should be celebrated for the deceased
priest, but it may not be celebrated in any parish to which the deceased was assigned or in
residence during his active ministry in this diocese.
The Mass of Christian Burial for the deceased priest is a diocesan liturgy. The pastor of the
parish in which the Mass is to be celebrated should coordinate all liturgical arrangements with
the Master of Ceremonies (MC) assigned for this liturgy by the Office of the Bishop.
If the deceased priest was not canonically prohibited from the private celebration of Mass, he
may be vested in Mass vestments, and the Mass of Christian Burial may follow as closely as is
practicable the liturgy for a priest who had not been removed from active ministry.
If the deceased priest was canonically prohibited even from the private celebration of Mass, or if
it would likely cause scandal or confusion among the faithful, he should be dressed in
appropriate non-clerical attire or, with the permission of the bishop, in black clerical attire. The
MC, in consultation with the bishop, will plan the liturgy for the Mass of Christian Burial.
If the deceased priest has expressed the desire that a particular priest or bishop be the principle
celebrant at his funeral Mass his wish will be honored to the extent possible. Otherwise, the
bishop, or one whom he designates, is the priest celebrant at the Mass of Christian Burial in these
circumstances.
Burial. Unless other arrangements have been made by a deceased priest incardinated in the
Diocese of St. Augustine, provision is to be made for his burial in San Lorenzo cemetery in the
same manner as though he had not been removed from active ministry. Appropriate assistance
will be provided as necessary in the case of a deceased priest not incardinated in this diocese.
Wherever the deceased priest is buried, the title of "Reverend" or "Father" may appear on his
headstone.
Approved March 15, 2006
Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan