I'm not quite sure why dissolution in water is deemed more reverent and seemly than burning, though I expect there is an explanation.
As I understand it, it turns on the Catholic understanding that the host remains the Body of Christ as long as the species remains exclusively and recognizably bread. Soaking in water essentially speeds up the process of the species no longer being exclusively and recognizably bread. And as @Thomas Rowans says, water has positive liturgical meaning.
So soaking in water means that when the host is disposed of by pouring into the sacrarium (or if there is no sacrarium, onto the ground at an appropriate place that will not be walked on), it is no longer the Body of Christ.
On the other hand, if the host is burned while still exclusively and recognizably bread, it is understood to be the Body of Christ still, so you’d be burning the actual, and resurrected, Body of Christ.
As for cremation, my recollection is that only was allowed in the Roman Catholic Church in the 1960s, and there are a number of conditions and things still prohibited (like scattering of ashes). Jesus has, as noted above, already risen from the dead, so I suspect the way we’d treat a dead body is deemed not analogous.
It’s also worth noting that the change to positive views about cremation is a radically quick change, given that historically burial customs have been quite resistant to change, so that’s a good point but also an anomaly.
The main reason for the prohibition of cremations if one wished to have a Catholic rite celebrated was because atheists said that this would impede the 'resurrection of the body'
Once the Catholic Church had got round this' problem' cremations became more common amongst those who wished to have Catholic rites at their funeral.
The main reason for the prohibition of cremations if one wished to have a Catholic rite celebrated was because atheists said that this would impede the 'resurrection of the body'
Once the Catholic Church had got round this' problem' cremations became more common amongst those who wished to have Catholic rites at their funeral.
Why would atheists care about a doctrine they don't believe in?
Btw I appreciate everyone who has chimed in thus far. It's gratifying to know that I'm not alone in finding the rite I'd described to be unusual or at least unfamiliar.
Re sacrarium/piscina: this can freeze in the winter in Canada, resulting in urgent hand-lettered signs DO NOT USE!!! in the sacristy, and very hesitant "seasonal use only" policies. Ask me how I know. No, don't.
The main reason for the prohibition of cremations if one wished to have a Catholic rite celebrated was because atheists said that this would impede the 'resurrection of the body'
Once the Catholic Church had got round this' problem' cremations became more common amongst those who wished to have Catholic rites at their funeral.
Why would atheists care about a doctrine they don't believe in?
I think the atheists might have been taking an opportunity to mock the Catholic doctrine of the resurrection of the body...
Comments
So soaking in water means that when the host is disposed of by pouring into the sacrarium (or if there is no sacrarium, onto the ground at an appropriate place that will not be walked on), it is no longer the Body of Christ.
On the other hand, if the host is burned while still exclusively and recognizably bread, it is understood to be the Body of Christ still, so you’d be burning the actual, and resurrected, Body of Christ.
As for cremation, my recollection is that only was allowed in the Roman Catholic Church in the 1960s, and there are a number of conditions and things still prohibited (like scattering of ashes). Jesus has, as noted above, already risen from the dead, so I suspect the way we’d treat a dead body is deemed not analogous.
Once the Catholic Church had got round this' problem' cremations became more common amongst those who wished to have Catholic rites at their funeral.
Why would atheists care about a doctrine they don't believe in?
Re sacrarium/piscina: this can freeze in the winter in Canada, resulting in urgent hand-lettered signs DO NOT USE!!! in the sacristy, and very hesitant "seasonal use only" policies. Ask me how I know. No, don't.
I think the atheists might have been taking an opportunity to mock the Catholic doctrine of the resurrection of the body...