The American Spectator

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p> SILENCED EULOGIES br> Re: Paul Beston's Tone Dead : /p> p>Mr. Paul Beston in his article "Tone Dead" suggests that the decision of the Archbishop of New Jersey not to permit eulogies at funeral Masses is somehow wrongheaded or is a manifestation of myopia since he more appropriately "might be occupied with more pressing matters" to correct problems in the Church. Although Mr. Beston does not disclose whether the Church in New Jersey has already dealt with the other, more important abuses he suggests, in any event, his conclusions are exactly wrong. Any "abuse" of practices or people in the Church occurs because whoever is responsible for preventing them has "more important things to do" than to prevent them. The celebration of the Mass is the most important act in which Christians can participate. The fact that Church officials intend to prevent the giving of eulogies at funeral Masses -- where they do not belong -- should give the faithful hope rather than despair that Church officials will correct all abuses where they occur. br> -- Luke A. Lafferre br> Huntington, WV /p> p> The traditional time for eulogies at a Catholic funerals is after the mass has concluded. This is standard Roman rite practice worldwide, and has been for centuries. The archbishop of Newark did not "take it upon himself" to rearrange anything. He is merely doing his job in assuring the integrity of the liturgies conducted in his archdiocese. Length of time is not the issue. These informal canonizations could theoretically last as long as there are listeners willing to stay seated in the pews. But paeans to the dearly departed rightfully belong at the conclusion of the mass. Is that so difficult to accept? Yes, the Catholic Church in America has many problems these days. But Mr. Beston's lengthy protestation is overblown. br> -- Tim Hughes br> Fairport, NY

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