Cardinal calls Catholics to pray for dignity of human life
November 3, 2024
Amid lockdown’s uncertainties, Fr Tony Rogers completed an MA on ‘Death, Religion and Culture’. His thesis examined Catholic funerals amidst rising secular trends, culminating in a delayed graduation at Winchester Cathedral, followed by celebrations at Montana Care Home. Sr Thaya Moses reports.
The first lockdown in 2020 was a time of great uncertainty. We had no idea when it would end and were unable to maintain a normal work routine. At least we were spared the pangs of guilt for leaving undone those things which we ought to have done. However, restrictions in one direction can provide opportunities in another, and it was this that prompted Fr Tony Rogers to consider what else was possible. After a bit of searching, he came across an MA course on ‘Death, Religion and Culture’, offered—understandably—online only. Fr Tony’s thesis focused on Catholic funerals in England and Wales, in the face of the rapid growth in secular and humanist funerals spurred on by the provision of ‘direct cremation’, often described as being ‘for those who don’t like funerals’. In his thesis, he examined the challenges faced by the Catholic Church in Northern and Central Europe and the efforts made to preserve the integrity of the faith in a rapidly changing belief environment.
Deprived of the usual student socialising, the Teams meetings opened doors to new contacts and friendships with funeral directors, healthcare workers, hospice staff, clergy, and others who were simply interested parties. Fr Tony completed the course in September 2022 but was unable to graduate in 2023 because, at the time, he was in hospital.
It seemed too good an opportunity to miss to be able to graduate a year later than normal, and following the ceremony in Winchester Cathedral on August 24, some unexpected celebrations followed after Mass at Montana Care Home the following Sunday.
