Posted on 06/11/2015 2:54:07 PM PDT by NYer
From The Rhode Island Catholic:
Finally, “Baby Francis” is resting in peace.
In a simple, but dignified ceremony this morning in a section of Gate of Heaven Cemetery set aside for the repose of babies, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin presided over a Christian burial service for the unborn child he named “Francis,” fulfilling a commitment he made to officials five months ago after a fetus was found floating amid the sewage at a nearby wastewater treatment facility.
A tiny white casket, with “Baby Francis 2015” inscribed on a gold plaque affixed to one end, and flanked by flowers and a small teddy bear, rested upon a portable pine altar as the burial service was conducted under a brilliant blue sky.
“Now, we must entrust the soul of Baby Francis to the abundant mercy of God so that this beloved child may find finally a home in his kingdom,” Bishop Tobin prayed before a gathering of about 20 individuals representing the diocese and its active Respect Life Office and Human Life Guild.
Despite a five-month investigation into the case, not much is known about the circumstances in which the unborn child ended up at the Bucklin Wastewater Treatment Facility on January 12, when a worker saw what at first appeared to be a doll floating amid the slurry in a collection area of the plant’s Screen and Grit Building, according to the East Providence Police Department.
At the time, the Bishop offered a “decent and proper burial” for the unborn child, also offering prayers for his parents and the situation that led them to dispose of a child in such a tragic way. The State Medical Examiner’s Office indicated the child was a male, about 19-20 weeks gestation, but could not release the body while its investigation was ongoing.
The bishop asked Msgr. Albert A. Kenney, his Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia, to remain in contact with the authorities. On June 5, the body was released to the custody of the diocese, and was sent to the Boyle Funeral Home, which donated its services and the casket. St. Gabriel’s Call, a ministry of the diocesan Office of Life & Family, provided the flowers and gravestone that will read “Baby Francis – 2015.” The Catholic Cemeteries Association donated the burial plot.
Bishop Tobin said he chose to name the baby Francis in honor of Pope Francis’ eloquence in encouraging the faithful to change the “throwaway culture” of abortion that pervades society today.
“This child is certainly a victim of that throwaway culture,” he said.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him…
May God bless and keep him.
Poor baby. Rest in peace, innocent one.
Oh yes, but we have to save that prairie chicken or snail darter or the West Texas spiked nosed f**t beetle. Children be damned.
You beat me to it. Definitely a spine with Bishop Tobin.
When God’s wrath comes, and it will, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Don’t misunderstand, there are many God fearing Americans. But it just seems like evil is prevailing right now and all we can do is pray that Jesus will intervene.
“Suffer the little children to come unto me, for such is the kingdom of heaven”-Jesus of Nazareth
He's in Good Hands, now.
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God Bless these clergy and lay persons who did right by this poor child.
Lord receive Francis’ soul.
A prayer for all the innocents, departed too early ...
I think the worst day in my life was having to bury my grandson, when my daughter had a miscarriage. When I grabbed that little box out the hearse, I lost it. I will never understand the callous disregard for human life in this country. Please dear Francis, say hello to my grandson Christen in heaven.
That picture...I have no words.
This story really got to me. Thank GOD for priests like this one. The poor baby is in a far better place now than this. (Wiping eyes.)
Prayers....
Praying for the repose of this innocent baby’s soul and that God’s have mercy on the wicked people who murdered him.
O most merciful, all gracious and compassionate Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, Son of God: we entreat Thee, most gracious Master: look with compassion upon Thy children who have been condemned to death by the unjust judgement of men. And as Thou hast promised to bestow the heavenly kingdom on them born of water and the Spirit, and who in blamelessness of life have been translated unto Thee; and Who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven” - we humbly pray, according to Thy unfailing promise: grant the inheritance of Thy kingdom to the multitude of spotless infants who have been cruelly murdered in the abortuaries of this land; for Thou art the resurrection and the life and the repose of all Thy servants and of these innocents, O Christ our God.
Turn the hearts of those who seek to destroy Thy little ones. We beseech Thee to pour forth Thy healing grace upon them, that they may be convicted in their hearts and turn from their evil ways. Remember all of them that kill our children as on the altars of Moloch, and render not unto them according to their deeds, but according to Thy great mercy convert them: the unbelieving to true faith and piety, and the believing that they may turn from evil and do good.
O Holy Master, Almighty Father and pre-eternal God, Who alone made and directs all things; Who rises up quickly against the evil of the impious ones; who, by providence, teaches Thy people preservation of justice and the obliteration of evil on earth; Who condescends to raise up warriors for the protection of the people of God: we entreat Thee with compunction, that as Thou didst give David power to defeat Goliath, and as Thou didst condescend through Judas Maccabeus, to seize victory from the arrogant pagans who would not call on Thy Name; so too, grant protection to us, Thy servants against the enemies rising against us as we go forth to do spiritual battle against the evil one and those who do his will rather than Thine.
For Thou art a merciful God, and lovest mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Yup. The slime-suckers choose the snail darters over human children.
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