The Chapel which holds Cardinal O'Connell's remains

Most know of the dispute between the family of the late William Cardinal O’Connell and the Archdiocese of Boston regarding the movement of his remains. When Boston College bought land formerly belonging to the Archdiocese in 2004, it agreed to move the Cardinal’s body in a respectful manner as a condition of the sale. While it would do no harm to leave the Cardinal’s remains in place, as the family wishes, it is not clear whether not the Cardinal himself would have wanted to be buried on land not owned by the Archdiocese or whether he would have felt that his body could be properly reverenced in a more developed environment.

Further, when the family and the Archdiocese finally come to an agreement about where the body should be moved, the transference must be treated with the utmost solemnity. In the Church, bodies of holy men and women who are declared saints get moved often and there is a protocol for this. While there is little movement to canonize Cardinal O’Connell, his body, as that of a bishop, should be treated with the same sort of care out of respect for his office and his dedication to the men and women in the Boston area.

The Archdiocese should transfer the body with the utmost care, which must include a solemn Mass in remembrance of O’Connell, officiated by the current Cardinal Archbishop. We hope that the Boston College community could participate in such an event, perhaps lending support through the means of a choir. The seminarians at St. John’s Seminary should be invited, as should the Jesuits of Boston College, administrators, and priests of the Archdiocese. This could be an event which helps bridge the ties between the Society of Jesus and the Archdiocese of Boston. Too often it seems as though secular priests and those of the Society clash on matters of theology, lifestyle, and allegiance. An event such as this could be a reminder that all Catholics are fighting for the same purpose and are brethren under the same banner. Catholics believe that respect is to be shown to bishops in this life. It is important that a gesture be made towards him after death as well.