Scary when Lionel starts to make sense. Either that or he has brushed up on his funeral arrangementds which is expected to draw the largest crowd ever
Aug 15, 2008
SPECIAL REPORT ON RELIGION
Skewed perspective
I REFER to the special report, 'Religion: The big switch', last Saturday.
The writers apparently relied heavily on the religious doctrine, principles and beliefs of a certain local Christian denomination, instead of speaking to the followers of other Christian denominations and Roman Catholics.
I am Roman Catholic and write from this Christian perspective. I am sure that we are conversant with the Bible's fourth Commandment: 'Honour your father and your mother.'
The Liturgy Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore felt it necessary to consider Chinese customary rites, because of the many queries Catholic priests have received on this matter. It is well known in Singapore's Catholic community that many 'old' Catholics, as well as new converts, whose family members are mostly non-Catholics, are still confused about what they can do or should not do on the occasion of Chinese funerals and on the commemoration of ancestors.
That is why the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore clarified that the veneration of ancestors refers to rituals performed to express honour or respect for the dead by the family members; and that in such rituals, filial piety is, and always has been, at least to some extent, the motivating factor.
In 1964, seven Chinese bishops in Taiwan met officially with a Vatican representative. They resolved the following regarding the practice of venerating one's ancestors:
In remembrance of the dead, the setting up of a tablet (bearing his name without the addition of superstitious inscriptions) by family members is no longer forbidden;
It is allowed to bow or prostrate oneself in front of the ancestor tablet, photograph or coffin;
Offering of fruit or other food in front of the ancestor tablet or at the grave is no longer forbidden; and
Burning of joss papers for the dead is forbidden because of its superstitious nature.
These instructions combine Catholic tradition with ancestor veneration and were issued by a conference of Chinese bishops in Taipei, 10 years later.
They are practised by Chinese Catholics in Singapore.
Lionel De Souza
Aug 15, 2008
SPECIAL REPORT ON RELIGION
Skewed perspective
I REFER to the special report, 'Religion: The big switch', last Saturday.
The writers apparently relied heavily on the religious doctrine, principles and beliefs of a certain local Christian denomination, instead of speaking to the followers of other Christian denominations and Roman Catholics.
I am Roman Catholic and write from this Christian perspective. I am sure that we are conversant with the Bible's fourth Commandment: 'Honour your father and your mother.'
The Liturgy Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore felt it necessary to consider Chinese customary rites, because of the many queries Catholic priests have received on this matter. It is well known in Singapore's Catholic community that many 'old' Catholics, as well as new converts, whose family members are mostly non-Catholics, are still confused about what they can do or should not do on the occasion of Chinese funerals and on the commemoration of ancestors.
That is why the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore clarified that the veneration of ancestors refers to rituals performed to express honour or respect for the dead by the family members; and that in such rituals, filial piety is, and always has been, at least to some extent, the motivating factor.
In 1964, seven Chinese bishops in Taiwan met officially with a Vatican representative. They resolved the following regarding the practice of venerating one's ancestors:
In remembrance of the dead, the setting up of a tablet (bearing his name without the addition of superstitious inscriptions) by family members is no longer forbidden;
It is allowed to bow or prostrate oneself in front of the ancestor tablet, photograph or coffin;
Offering of fruit or other food in front of the ancestor tablet or at the grave is no longer forbidden; and
Burning of joss papers for the dead is forbidden because of its superstitious nature.
These instructions combine Catholic tradition with ancestor veneration and were issued by a conference of Chinese bishops in Taipei, 10 years later.
They are practised by Chinese Catholics in Singapore.
Lionel De Souza
