Should Richard III Receive a Catholic Burial?

First Things ^ | February 4, 2013 | Mark Movsesian

[NYer]

You thought there couldn’t be a law and religion angle to today’s news—fascinating for us history nerds—that archaeologists have discovered the mortal remains of Richard III beneath a parking lot in Leicester? Think again. Plans are underway to re-inter the bones in the city’s Anglican Cathedral. Not so fast, say some: the hunchback king wasn’t a Protestant, but a Catholic, and he requires a Catholic burial. In fact, as Shakespeare fans know, Richard died at Bosworth Field (“A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!”), defending his throne from Henry Tudor. Henry went on to reign as Henry VII; his son, Henry VIII, broke with Rome. As The Tablet’s blog argued this morning, “Had Richard prevailed at the Battle of Bosworth Field, there would have been no Henry VII, therefore no Henry VIII and no Reformation. England today might still be a Catholic country.” Think of it: no Reformation, no Established Church, no Archbishop Laud, no Puritans, no Great Migration — no Massachusetts! — and no Establishment Clause. Surely there’s a law review article in there somewhere.

Leicester Cathedral seems to know it’s facing a sensitive situation. A Catholic priest is keeping watch over Richard’s remains (as is an Anglican, I believe), and the cathedral is planning a “multifaith” burial ceremony. Personally, I’m not sure why English Catholics are so keen to claim Richard, anyway. They must be forgetting the nephews in the Tower.

[cuban leaf]

...but glorified or damned in accordance with our merit.

---

Actually, I pretty strongly disagree with that. I believe it will be because of His grace, rather than my merit.

[RobbyS]

God either made us free being, or he did not. Merit means, IMHO, our acceptance of God’s grace, and by grace I include all his gifts, natural and supernatural. In a real sense, since their all comes form Him, it is hard to separate one from the other, except notionally. Paul compares himself to an athlete. He “ ran” his race like a championship athlete. Most of us just jog along, and rest content with finishes the course, or maybe even refuse to start, or take off on our own course. He ran to win the prize. God blesses us with what we need. He shows us the way, he has reached the goal before us, and beckons us to follow. There he stands, the master of the waves, and if we falter, we need but reach out our hand and he will save.

[cuban leaf]

I agree with your post. I think some may be able to argue what is actually meant by “natural” gifts though.

It reminds me of the guy I was trying do discuss what happens, after the great white throne judgement, to those that are not saved. He disagreed with my position (they are annihilated) and to support his position he held up his old and highly marked up King James bible and said, “I believe what the bible says.” I didn’t want to pick a fight and just said, “what you believe is your interpretation of the bible.” and left it at that. We both believe His word and got our interpretations from the same book.

The world we live in now is most definitely fallen. As you know, we don’t pursue earthly wealth, yet many “Christians” would strongly argue against you and me on that one. I’ve been to those churches.

[SunkenCiv]

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[Vanders9]

I dont think that passage of scripture is talking about that.