MUMBAI: Across the country, and particularly in Mumbai, the Christian community has been clamouring for more burial grounds. Over the past three years, large morchas were led through civic wards from Goregaon to Dahisar where there is a vast population of Catholics.

Now this nationwide shortage of space for burial has prompted the Mar Thoma Church which is headquartered in Kerala to allow cremation for its clergymen. Earlier, laypersons alone could opt for cremation after securing written permission from their bishop. Now that privilege has been extended to priests as well.

The traditional preference for burial as a means of disposal arises from the Christian belief in resurrection. Over time though, the priestly class has wisely propagated the understanding that God will restore life irrespective of the method used to lay the remains to rest.

It is estimated that there are approximately 20,000 Mar Thoma Kerala Christians in Mumbai. The deceased of this community are interred in the common Christian cemeteries where separate space is often demarcated for Catholics, Protestants and other sects.

A priest who officiates at the Mar Thoma Church in Goregaon says they received the letter from the Metropolitan in Kerala a few days ago. The implications and modalities are yet to be worked out. However it is safely assumed that the prayer rituals will be performed in the parish church before the remains are transported to the crematorium.

The priest has not addressed his congregation over the matter yet but says it is a matter of time before the community will have to face up to the issue.

 The Catholic Church has never taken exception to cremation. Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesman for the archdiocese of Bombay, says, “It is an alternative that any Catholic could opt for, indeed a number of people have done so. Some choose cremation for convenience. Those who are abroad do so because they wish to bring the ashes back to India.”
Fr Nigel quotes the Canon Law on ecclesiastical funerals to say that this ritual honours their bodies, and at the same time brings the solace of hope to the living. “It must be performed according to liturgical norms. The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed. Nevertheless, the Church does not prohibit cremation unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine,” he says.

Anil Dhotre, caretaker at Chandanwadi crematorium, Marine Lines, says that the electric crematorium is open to all communities. In fact singer Jagjit Singh’s last rites were performed here. “Christians and Parsis come often. Parsi priests accompany the remains for the final prayer which is said here but the Christians perform their rituals in church and then come. They are given access to the electric crematorium. The wood pyre is reserved for Hindus.”

source: timesofindia