Shane McGowan funeral -- Pro abortion politician giving an address from the pulpit. Singing and dancing to secular songs in the ailes and near the altar. Priest holds up a statue of Buddha because Shane liked many religions but his favourite was Buddha. More like a pagan celebration in my opinion. So many abuses and not one prayer for his soul.
His widow Victoria Mary Clarke quipping it was probably “the first time a Buddha” had been held up in a Catholic church. They knew what they were doing.
I agree. Despite the hoo-ha I’d never heard of this guy. A funeral is not the place to celebrate a person’s putative genius but to pray for their soul. I did feel a bit queasy when the widow said he had needed drugs and alcohol to release his talent. All that noise around the altar. Surely a funeral Mass should be meditative and sombre as the four last things come to mind. A celebration of a person’s life in gratitude for their contribution to people’s happiness could be held separately, with Buddhas galore.
The happy laughing Buddha is Satan laughing at the people who worship this idol. Satan is desperate to bring down the Catholic Church. These Catholic Priests have lost their minds and souls. Lord Help Us!
this is just bad taste, since not even real buddhists do this. buddhist funeral processions never include handling a statue of a buddha. and the statues cant be handled once enshrined. this person is making a weird mish-mash religious thing
In responding to this thread I know I am risking being judged but I feel I must. First of all I didn't see the complete funeral so I didn't see the procession of symbols of a person's life but usually it is at the start before the we get into the Mass. Families bring what represents to them aspects of a person's life. It would have been difficult for the priest to reject the symbol chosen by the person's family. The Mass itself at its core had the music of Sean Ó Riada which hé composed for the Mass many years ago. It was beautiful gaelic music and hymns, very prayerful and solemn. I watched from before the beginning of the Eucharistic liturgy and it was at its core beautiful music. When communion was over and at the end of a funeral Mass space is given to the choice by family to speak and remember the life of a person. At that point his musical friends played Fairy Tale of New York. Some of those friends who are not Catholic or who have drifting away danced. They were a small group and I wasn't happy but what was the priest to do really. I don't believe it was malicious or ill intentioned. Victoria his wife is not Catholic but still she recognised that Shane was deeply religious despite his addictions and brokenness. She said he always wore a crucifix and medals and scapular which were always getting knotted. She thinks he did this to tell his friends 'give Jesus a chance'. He believed God was love and compassion. Shane as he came towards his end loved everybody. He had particular love for the broken and destitute. In fact the proceeds from 'fairy tale' are all going to the homeless. God works in mysterious ways and He cannot be put in a box. Through this broken man with a heart of gold He probably touched more hearts than all the preaching in the world. The tradition in Irish life has always been the Irish wake where the person is celebrated for at least 3 days. Some of the music and actions like the dancing can veer outside the totally appropriate but you have to consider that most of the friends from the world of showbusiness were not Catholic or maybe left years ago. Shane's message of give Jesus a chance may have touched some of those hearts in a way the greatest preachers might not. It's all in God's hands. Personally I cried during that. God is love and His is the judgement. God bless everyone.
I agree. I really respect anyone who bears witness to Jesus in their life by wearing a Cross or Crucifix. That includes Padraig! I think the shenanigans were perhaps harmless, if not a long way from a proper disposition to have in God's house. Would Jesus have fasioned a whip and driven them out of His house? I don't know. Maybe he would say "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.". I offer my sincere condolences to Victoria and the family. I did love Victoria's tribute to Shane in the immediate aftermath of his death, and her acknowledgement of Jesus and Mary. I only heard snippets of what she said in the Church. But I do get the impression that she did not really understand Shane's relationship with Jesus. That is only my impression. I do not know to what extent Shane understood the deep tradition of Catholic mysticism. Shane knew he was in the grip of his addictions from which escape is very difficult. Victoria knew that Shane was going somewhere in his mind (or in his spirit) that very few go. She said he was a traveller, an explorer. Of course, using drugs to go to places is a very mistaken thing to do. Contrary to the Christian tradition. Victoria said that she heard Shane talking about battling with a dragon. Perhaps this was the evil one himself, the accuser. It was reported that Victoria said that her late husband was a spiritual person who did not pray for himself but did pray for her and for other people. "He didn't feel any need for redemption. He firmly believed that Jesus was all about forgiveness and that that was the nature of the universe." Later in the interview Victoria says that "we got to do so many things. We went everywhere in the world, we met so many people - just absolutely brilliant. That's what it's all about: having fun in the moment, where you are." Perhaps that is a light hearted comment that reflects the joy that Christians should have even in the face of suffering. It is very far from my understanding of what it's all about - which I have learnt from Catholic tradition, Catholic seers and mystics, from the prophets of old and from Jesus himself in Scripture. It is far from Penance, penance, penance, and the salvation of souls. Far from the sufferings of Sts. Jacinta and Francisco Marto. Far from the hidden sufferings of countless victim souls. Far from the visible sufferings of the children in Gaza ... But whose fault is it that such views are widely held in our Societies? I'm afraid the blame falls squarly on me and other Christians. "You will be my witnesses throughout Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the world." Lord, bring Shane into your Heavenly Kingdom, may he rest in peace. Amen. Jesus mercy, Mary help!
Yes I agree Victoria really had very little understanding of Catholicism but she spoke of he constantly praying for others even people he saw on television. Shane's sister gave a better picture of him coming on holidays in Tipperary to his Catholic extended family and the influence it had on him. Remember the good thief. He knew little to nothing about the Jewish religion but he still recognised Jesus and the religious class of Jewish society failed.
The biggest problem is a door has been opened that indeed needs shut and bolted, we have now entered a problem of the catholic church being accused of double standards. so what happens when a simple laypersons family insist on playing highway to hell at their loved ones funeral the priest refuses and the family reply well if shane mcgowan is allowed to do it why are we not allowed the same ??? I speak from experience as my family do sing and play in church at all events and we have to answer the questions of what is and what is not allowed.
I agree guidelines need to be put in place and published for every diocese. It would be very helpful.
Sorry for using the daily mail as a source, but I found several photos of the priest at the funeral holding several items https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-life-displayed-coffin-spiritual-funeral.html this is just bizarre .
They do this at nearly every funeral in Ireland nowadays. It's a bit ridiculous. I've seen cat food being brought up to symbolise the deceased's love of cats. Crazy stuff.
Yes Bobby all hymns and music must follow the liturgy of the mass so for instance it must be relevant to the gospel or readings or certain feast days like Christ the king or our lady, there is also a strict format in relation to Easter and Christmas, with the use of web cams one also must be careful in relation to copyright as I know some parishes have had this problem. Churches can be used as concert venues but Our Heavenly Jesus must not be exposed or present in the tabernacle I am sure I have missed other rules hopefully Terry @Mario can correct what I have missed.
