13 September 2012

A Protestant funeral for Richard III?


The BBC reports here that it is highly likely that the remains of Richard III have been discovered. We will know for sure in about twelve weeks once the DNA tests have been completed. All very interesting and a very rare find indeed but the most worrying thing about it is what they propose to do with the remains if they are confirmed as being those of Richard III. The BBC story states that:

If their identity is confirmed, Leicester Cathedral said it would work with the Royal Household, and with the Richard III Society, to ensure the remains were treated with dignity and respect and reburied with the appropriate rites and ceremonies of the church.

So I think this means that Leicester Cathedral intend to bury the remains which will mean a Protestant ceremony. This would have been completely alien to Richard III who was of course a Roman Catholic as were all Englishmen at that time. In fact if Richard III had won the battle of Bosworth Field there would have been no Henry VIII and quite likely therefore no break with Rome.

We can only pray that if the remains are confirmed as being those of Richard III that he is re-buried with the appropriate rites and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church of which he was a member.

3 comments:

  1. A very good point, Roydosan.

    May I suggest that you write to one of the national daily papers making thius point.

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  2. And of course, the Rite would have to be that of Sarum.

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  3. Indeed! :) http://eponymousflower.blogspot.com/2012/09/king-richard-iii-should-be-reinterred.html

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