Today we held a funeral mass for my uncle, and unfortunately, the experience was deeply marred by the conduct of the Father Raciel the presiding priest. From the onset he was curt and impatient. He spent much of the mass glancing at his watch, giving the clear impression that he was in a hurry to be somewhere else.
He delivered an unnecessarily long and off-putting diatribe about who is eligible to receive communion. While it's understood that the Catholic Church has guidelines, his tone and delivery were alienating. He also engaged in debates with individuals who approached with their palms out rather than receiving communion on the tongue. (For context, I am Catholic.)
When he asked if anyone planned to give a eulogy, I told him I would be speaking. He acknowledged it and simply asked that I keep it brief, which I agreed to. However, he never invited me up to speak, offering no explanation or acknowledgment.
Most upsetting was his decision during the final blessing. It had been clearly communicated--and he had agreed--that four family members (the widow, my cousin, my father, and my aunt) would bless the coffin. Yet, without any explanation, he only permitted three of them to participate, leaving one excluded at the last moment.
Funerals are never easy. One hopes that our clergy would be kinder and more understanding. Father Raciel was disappointing. read more