[Magdalen] Met Opera Shenanigans.

[M J _Mike_ Logsdon]

>>>This event gives credence  to the recent RC pronouncement that ashes were to be disposed of
in places consecrated for that purpose.<<<

Yes, but said prohibition includes places and methods always generally used.

Seems if you don't have access to a church-approved "sacred place" for the ashes, or the bishop's permission to hold onto them, you're SOL.

Maybe our Met guy could have privately asked for them to be quietly placed below the floorboards, or something.  Since he would probably have been denied, at least he could have said he'd tried.

[begin quote]
“When, for legitimate motives, cremation of the body has been chosen, the ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place, that is, in a cemetery or, in certain cases, in a church or an area, which has been set aside for this purpose, and so dedicated by the competent ecclesial authority.”
    “The conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence is not permitted” except in “grave and exceptional cases dependent on cultural conditions of a localized nature” with permission of the bishop. “Nonetheless, the ashes may not be divided among various family members and due respect must be maintained regarding the circumstances of such a conservation.”
    “In order that every appearance of pantheism, naturalism or nihilism be avoided, it is not permitted to scatter the ashes of the faithful departed in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way, nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewelry or other objects.”

“When the deceased notoriously has requested cremation and the scattering of their ashes for reasons contrary to the Christian faith, a Christian funeral must be denied to that person according to the norms of the law,” the Congregation concluded.
[end quote]