Heaven Help Us - The Rebuttal
I have waited for the rebuttal letter to be posted on the Tipton Conservative website, but for some reason it has not appeared although is was in the printed edition. The letter follows...
In last week's Tipton Conservative a writer expressed his "shame" at the funeral liturgy of the Catholic Church. He was ashamed that there was no color guard or flag covering the coffin throughout the service. He indicated that veterans were not being properly honored by the funeral liturgy of the Catholic Church.
At least for the past 40 years in every Catholic Church in the country and for every funeral, even for veterans, the coffin with the body is met at the entrance of the church. The coffin, containing the body of the deceased, is sprinkled with blessed water as a sign and reminder that the deceased was baptized into the Body of Christ (the Church) usually at birth, or perhaps later in life. The coffin is covered with a white pall, usually with the assistance of family members, to recall that at Baptism the deceased was clothed with a white baptismal garment. A sign that the deceased "put on Christ" at baptism and accepted a new way of life.
Then, the procession with the church minister, the body of the deceased and the family proceed into the sanctuary led by the Cross. The Cross represents the "One-Jesus" who passed from death into "new life." A journey many of us hope to make one day.
Our Church does not believe that a color guard with flags, nor a flag draped over the coffin is appropriate for this part of the funeral journey. A the end of the service, the pall is removed and the flag of the United States is placed over the coffin, for the journey to the cemetery and military honors.
Father David Hitch, Pastor at St. Mary's Church
For the past 40 years it has been this way?
It must be a Vietnam War protest still in effect by the Catholic Church.
Al Arnold
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