NEW JERSEY
U.S. Catholic
By Kira Dault
The Archdiocese of Newark has released a policy for planning the funerals of priests who have been removed from ministry on sexual abuse accusations.
The new policy requires that the funeral Mass be held away from any churches where the priest worked or lived, and that obituaries be published without photos or specific information about when and where the funeral Mass will be held. Furthermore, the viewing “is to be a private viewing (not in a church) for members of the family and close friends only.”
A letter from the archdiocese says that these new procedures will “allow for sensitivity to the family of the deceased priest as well as to avoid possible negative publicity or further embarrassment to the family and the church.”
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