Where's the credibility?

[mulls]

Had to go to a funeral today for my stepfather's father. We're a big Irish Catholic family, so naturally there was a funerl mass.

Let it be known, that without a shadow of a doubt, because died and rose in baptism, that he is in heaven today. We can be SURE of it, says the priest. Doesn't matter how the life was lived, the baptism did it all. And the fact that he was a 'good' husband and father. Oh and the priest even made jokes about his severe drinking, or as he referred to, "blessings from the bottle."

I don't get it. The priest declared he was in heaven, and also declare they we would ALL meet him there one day, regardless. I'm not exaggerating.

And we still prayed for his soul. I really don't get it. I'm venting, I don't even think I want or need an explanation.

[homeschoolmom]

Sorry about the death of your step-father's father... that priest sounds a little

[Dave]

Unfortunately too many priests these days like to act like the deceased is automatically in heaven no matter how they lived their life. I don't know why they do this ... fear of offending others maybe? A misguided attempt to instill hope in others? Anyway, they're not supposed to do that, but many do it anyway.

BTW -- my condolences to you and your stepfather.

Edited December 10, 2004 by Dave

[mulls]

every funeral mass i've ever been to declared the same thing. and i've been to quite a few, in different churches.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

First off, my prayers for your family.

Second, your priest broke the rules. Funerals aren't supposed to focus on talking about how great a person was, they are supposed to be about redemption in Christ. A lot of priests have gotten in trouble in the past couple of years for making it about the person who died and how no one has to worry. In fact, it's scandalous, because if he's in purgatory, he could use the prayers, and if everyone's sure he's in heaven, then he probably won't be getting many.

[cmotherofpirl]

Maybe the priest heard his last confession before he died.

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='Dec 10 2004, 05:59 PM'] Maybe the priest heard his last confession before he died. [/quote]
Temporal punishment could still remain, though...

[Brother Adam]

[quote name='mulls' date='Dec 10 2004, 04:44 PM'] every funeral mass i've ever been to declared the same thing. and i've been to quite a few, in different churches. [/quote]
I'm sorry about your lose.

This goes to show you that you need to come back home and help us fix where others are erring. Remaining in a state of "ophranage" to your Christian family doesn't help any.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='Raphael' date='Dec 10 2004, 07:05 PM'] Temporal punishment could still remain, though... [/quote]
Yes but Temporal punishment in Purgatory still eventually ends in heaven.

[BurkeFan]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' date='Dec 10 2004, 06:11 PM'] Yes but Temporal punishment in Purgatory still eventually ends in heaven. [/quote]
Which makes me wonder, is there time in the afterlife?

[Justified Saint]

[quote]The priest declared he was in heaven, and also declare they we would ALL meet him there one day, regardless. I'm not exaggerating.[/quote]

Wouldn't most Protestants say the same anyway, I mean those that hold to OSAS?

[ICTHUS]

[quote name='Justified Saint' date='Dec 10 2004, 06:42 PM']
Wouldn't most Protestants say the same anyway, I mean those that hold to OSAS? [/quote]
STOP CALLING IT OSAS. It's POTS or POTE. And no, not necessarily. If the person died while a notorious sinner, they were most probably not elect in the first place.

The Reformed hold great trust and hope in the mercy of God to enable them to persevere to the end, and that those who come to Him He will in no way cast out.

Also, a Reformed funeral (At least, I know this is the case with we Anglicans) would likely have a sermon wherein the saving message of the Holy Gospel was preached, and the promise of resurrection from the dead expounded upon.

[Guest Aluigi]

first what's POTS or POTE? second: there are those who believe in OSAS, just because it's not your branch doesn't mean we can't refer to people who do believe OSAS. there ARE such people out there. maybe they're not "Reformed Protestants" but they are Protestants

[Dave]

[quote name='Aluigi' date='Dec 11 2004, 09:00 PM'] first what's POTS or POTE? [/quote]
He means perseverance of the saints or perseverance of the elect.

[Guest Aluigi]

that's what YOUR branch holds to. there are protestants who do not, who hold to OSAS. they are all errors, different kinds of errors. perhaps you should join with us in arguing against OSAS then.