SACRED CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH

Decree on the ecclesiastical burial of manifest sinners

The Fathers of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in the Plenary Assembly of November 14-15, 1972, regarding the ecclesiastical burial have decreed that funerals for manifest sinners are no longer forbidden, if before death they gave some sign of repentance and if public scandal among the other faithful is avoided. 

The Holy Father Paul VI, in the Audience granted to the undersigned Prefect on November 17, 1972, ratified, approved, and ordered this decision of the Fathers to be published, abrogating insofar as necessary canon 1240 §1, notwithstanding any contrary disposition.

Rome, September 20, 1973.

Franjo Card. Šeper
Prefect

Fr. Jérôme Hamer, O.P.
Titular Archbishop of Lorium
Secretary