- Fr. Augustin Prabhu
Madurai
On 26 April 2025, the Holy Mother Catholic Church solemnly celebrated the funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis, affectionately known as the Pope of the Peripheries. For us in India – a nation marked by poverty, inequality, and deep social divides – this solemn moment invites serious reflection.
WHAT LESSONS MUST THE INDIAN CHURCH URGENTLY LEARN FROM THIS EVENT?
1. Funeral Services Must Be Rendered with Dignity, Not Conditioned by Payment
Every baptized Catholic is entitled to catholic funeral rites conducted with dignity and compassion.
It is deeply regrettable when priests, directly or indirectly, demand payments on the very day- such as for the Parish Maintenance Fund or cemetery maintenance fund – when families approach the Church to bury their dead.
In moments of grief, pastoral accompaniment must take precedence over financial concerns.
Bishops must promulgate clear and binding norms at diocesan and regional levels to prohibit any form of monetary expectation linked to funeral services at the time of the funerals. The faithful should be formed and informed to report to their bishops if any of their priests persist in asking for money to celebrate funeral rites.
2. Denying Funeral Rites to the Suicided and the Tragically Dead is Against the Mercy of the Church
Refusal of funeral rites to those who have died by suicide, or through tragic accidents such as fires or road mishaps, is contrary to the spirit of the Gospel.
No priest or parish has the authority to deprive these souls of Christian funeral rites.
The Church, as a mother, accompanies all her children – even those who die by suicide or in tragic accidents.
It is a serious pastoral error and a wound to the Body of Christ, when priests refuse funeral rites on such grounds. Priests and religious must be well-formed in the Church’s teaching that even in such circumstances, the mercy of God is never withdrawn. Bishops must urgently instruct their clergy to ensure that no baptized Catholic is denied funeral rites, regardless of the cause of death.
3. Funerals During the Paschal Triduum: Pastoral Sensitivity Must Guide Practice
Questions and doubts still arise about conducting funeral rites on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. When the faithful request the funeral rites of the Church during these sacred days, priests must respond pastorally, offering dignified services without unnecessary hesitation or argument. Liturgical observances, while important, must not overshadow the Church’s duty to console the grieving. Let all our clergy be properly formed in the Church’s teaching: that the mercy of God extends beyond death and that no baptized person should be refused the final sacraments and prayers of the Church. Bishops must provide pastoral guidelines emphasizing that charity and accompaniment outweigh liturgical rigidity in such cases. Bishops should provide clear pastoral instructions to ensure that no family is turned away during these sacred days.
4. Breaking Down Caste Barriers in Catholic Burial Grounds
It remains a source of deep sorrow that, in some parts of our country, caste continues to divide even our cemeteries. Even more distressing and disgusting is the fact that some bishops, priests and religious have instructed in their wills to be buried among their village (caste). This is a scandal that wounds the witness of the Gospel.
In such requests, bishops must make sure to respect the gospel values than the caste values.
Such practices perpetuate division even in death and stand as a direct contradiction of the Gospel’s call to unity. We must work urgently to establish common cemeteries where every Catholic, regardless of caste, is buried together – a true sign of our equality in Christ.
Immediate and sincere efforts must be undertaken to create inclusive cemeteries where every Catholic, regardless of caste, is buried together as one family in Christ.
Moreover, there is no need to construct individual tombs for each priest or sister in cemeteries. A simple cross bearing their name is enough to honour their life and service. This practice upholds the simplicity of a minister of the church, free from unnecessary financial burdens.
Conclusion
Unless we, the bishops, priests and men and women religious, address these urgent realities – contextual to India and to our dioceses and religious congregations – we will only pay lip service to the simplicity of Pope Francis’ funeral and his deep love for the peripheries.
We cannot, with integrity, praise the simplicity of Pope Francis’ funeral or his love for the peripheries if we continue to allow these contradictions within our own Church.
Renewal begins with concrete actions, not with words alone. Counter and co-reflections are welcome!
