CBCP: Cremation gaining wider acceptance in RP

Cremation is gaining acceptance as a burial practice in the Philippines, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said on Tuesday. In a statement on its cbcpnews.com, the CBCP said this is not a loss to businessmen as many of them have in fact made a lot of money from building crematories and columbaria. “The same phenomenon has accompanied the construction of new parochial churches as almost new churches in Manila will have a columbaria or ossuaries," said Fr. Genaro Diwa, Minister of the Archdiocese of Manila’s Liturgical Affairs. He noted that in many cases, churches have been constructed with funds coming from sales of columbaria or ossuaries. Diwa, however, said the important thing is to make sure there is a sense of respect for the dead in cremating the remains of a loved one. “Every time and culture has a natural religious feeling of respect for the mortal remains, manifested in the many ways mortal remains of the dead have been treated," he said. “The church sees the value of the mortal remains as the body is commended to the earth, or at the crematorium where the bodily remains are reduced to ashes before being brought to the columbarium," he added. Diwa cited Canon Law 1176 where the Church does not forbid cremation “unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching." He reminded bishops to “see to it that the burial tradition is preserved – that no one is pressured to choose cremation – and judge that the request for cremation does not stem" from a denial of Christian dogmas, or from sectarian spirit, or hate for the Catholic religion and the Church." He added acceptable reasons for the choice of cremation include hygiene and economics. Diwa also appealed to treat cremated remains with the same respect given to the human body. “This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition." He added the cremated remains should be buried in grave, mausoleum, or columbarium. “The practice of scattering the ashes in the sea or from the air is not in keeping with the Church’s norm regarding the proper disposal of the remains of the dead," Diwa said. - GMANews.TV