Pre-signed mass cards have 'no spiritual value'
<http://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/Presigned-mass-cards-have-no.4637820.jp>http://www.offalyexpress.ie/news/Presigned-mass-cards-have-no.4637820.jp Published Date: 29 October 2008 By Grace O'Dea THE Bishop of Meath Dr Michael Smith has appealed to people not to purchase pre-signed mass cards, saying they have "no spiritual value." In a statement Dr Smith said while the practice of having Mass offered for a deceased person is a praiseworthy tradition in this country and a practice that manifests the centrality of the Eucharist in our faith. "It fulfils the scriptural invitation to pray for the dead as well as extending prayerful support to those grieving the death of a loved one," said Dr Smith. He said unfortunately in recent times individuals and companies have exploited this traditional act of support by offering pre-signed Mass cards for sale in shops and commercial outlets. "The impression given is that these are genuine Mass cards and that Masses will be offered. The evidence suggests otherwise. It is claimed that the priests who sign these cards live in third world countries and appreciate the support this involvement offers to them and other priests," said Dr Smith. He said an investigation was carried out some time ago into the priests whose names were on the cards. Not all the names could be deciphered or traced. With the co-operation of the Church in the countries where the priests identified were alleged to minister it was found that some were deceased while others were no longer priests in good standing in the Church. In recent months there has been a major increase in such cards being offered for sale. "These cards where the Mass is not offered have no spiritual value. They abuse the Eucharist and trade on the faith and goodwill of people. It is a commercial operation with profit as its motive. Those who engage and facilitate this practice, including the shops that offer them for sale, seriously abuse the Eucharist and its sacred character," said Dr Smith. He said to give such cards to those mourning the death of a loved one is not only a meaningless act, it is also an insult to the memory of the deceased and to those who grieve over their passing. <*}}}>< <http://halfthekingdom.mofuse.mobi/>Half the Kingdom! on your Mobile <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/wordpress/>Half the Kingdom! Blog <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Half the Kingdom! Main Site <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/by-the-by/>Half the Kingdom! By the by <*}}}>< Lord, may everything we do begin with Your inspiration and continue with Your help, so that all our prayers and works may begin in You and by You be happily ended. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. <*}}}>< <http://halfthekingdom.mofuse.mobi/>Half the Kingdom! on your Mobile <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/wordpress/>Half the Kingdom! Blog <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/>Half the Kingdom! Main Site <*}}}>< <*}}}>< <http://www.halfthekingdom.org/by-the-by/>Half the Kingdom! By the by <*}}}>< Lord, may everything we do begin with Your inspiration and continue with Your help, so that all our prayers and works may begin in You and by You be happily ended. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Please note that I do not send or open attachments sent to this list. You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Catholics on Fire" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Catholics-on-Fire May the blessing of Jesus and our Blessed Mother be with you -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
