Service or Sacrament?
Citizens of our ‘Catholic’ Ireland have never had to go far to celebrate such occasions as birth, marriage or death. It’s said that there’s a church every mile on average on this island of ours. Now, for the first time, this secularised society has begun to wonder where to go instead. The state is now to organise a body for civil ceremonies and this has led to questions on all sides. For the past few mornings I’ve listened to a discussion on the radio on this topic. I hear little over the hum of my bus’ engine and its occupants but what I’ve heard gives me plenty to write about here…
One argument put forward was that such a set-up to deal with marriage demands shouldn’t be needed as: ‘that’s what the Church is for’ after all. Soon listeners began to comment on certain priests who refuse to bless the unions of non-practicing ‘Catholics’. This point shocked many into contributing and many became exasperated at a situation said to be caused by the introduction of ’new rules’ for the sacrament which were never suggested by the Church until now. Straining to hear the discussion this morning I did catch a certain Mr. Darcy suggest that priests marry non-practicing ‘Catholics’ in their churches in an attempt to lure them back to the flock….What nonsense!
A Church marriage is the blessing of a sacred union under God. If those concerned don’t believe in God or choose not to bother to make any decisions on the matter what good is it to bless their union? If they see a Church as nothing more than a nice hall to get married should a priest be encouraged to, not only allow but lead such a ceremony?
There are two groups of ‘Catholics’ which may come up against this problem. There are those known as ‘Four Wheelers’. These are ‘believers’ who turn up at a church three times in their lives: in a pram (Baptism), in a carriage (Marriage) and in a hearse (Funeral). Should these people, who can hardly be called ‘People of faith’, be allowed these services, which they may feel entitled to, by the Church?
Then there are those who attend Mass at Christmas and Easter but never grace a church door apart from these occasions or of those mentioned above. Should these perhaps be entitled to a blessing?
Pope Benedict has expressed his view on occasion that there is a place in the Church for those who come only during these major feasts. After all many Irish today fall into this catagory. It could be said that any ‘worker in the vineyard of the Lord’ should bless Love as its very presence makes the union sacred…whether or not the couple acknowledge it.
I respect such arguments and realise that this debate is complicated but…. I can’t help but wonder whether or not it’s right to allow houses of God be treated as nothing more than ’accoutred frosty barn’s. Those non-believers who except to use churches for such ceremonies are taking part in nothing more than a show with appropriate costumes and very good actors….The blessing of sacred unions was never meant to become a sideshow attraction. I don’t think we should allow that to change…do you?
Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 and is filed under Thoughts & Questions.
You can leave a comment.
Mary Says:
If the people who you are referring to really are “non-believers”, then by definition they won’t be seeking a blessing or a priest-led marriage (or whatever) service.
If they are seeking a priest-led service (be it a full Mass or just a blessing service), then they obviously have SOME level of belief. If they have been baptised, then by this baptism they have a right to access other sacraments and sacramentals.
To turn them away would be a massive mistake, probably guaranteed to mean that they never come near the institutional church again, and that they keep their children away too.
You could insist on some level of commitment, eg attending Mass for four Sundays in a row or for six months or somesuch. But this raises questions about what other standards you apply. For example, what about the regular mass-goer who’s also cheating the Revenue, or speeding, or smoking dope, or drinking to excess, or dealing in drugs, or carrying out burglaries, or swearing at people in the street. He’s clearly sinning, should we exclude him too?
August 12th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
Ronan Says:
<p>The problem I have is with those who want a Church ceremony for the pictures or to please the grandparents. Are these good enough reasons to lie before God?</p>
<p>I don’t like the idea of turning anyone away but the sense of commitment to ones faith has dissipated. If someone wishes to marry, for example, in a Church and are told that there is more to it then simply turning up on the day and arranging the flowers…could this not lead to questions being asked as to their beliefs?…</p>
<p>Could this not lead to some soul searching? Obviously not always but if this happens for anyone than that’s worth it. Many feel faith is no longer a priority. Time or effort isn’t given to soul searching and many claim to be ‘Catholic’ while not knowing what they believe.</p>
<p>If those who ‘need’ a Church service to appease the family are given time to mull things over or go elsewhere would this not give them a reason to stop and think?</p>
As a side note: the Church needs to assert it’s authority while remaining a ’spiritual guide’ more than a ‘master’. Most have turned away from the strict authoritarian Church of the past. The way it was did not work….but, to turn to a non-Church were anything goes and to say that we are united in the one faith while most don’t know what they believe is wrong. We must encourage others to give come thought.
August 18th, 2007 at 11:27 am