
United States bishops relaxed certain cemetery disciplines following the Second Vatican Council
requiring a new paradigm to define the benefits for today's Catholic cemetery. In 1985, Archbishop
Raymond Hunthausen asked Joseph Sankovich to facilitate a proper response for the cemeteries of
the Archdiocese of Seattle. A task force of theologians produced the first Mission Statement
for Catholic cemeteries. With slight variations, that statement has been adopted by numerous
Catholic cemeteries throughout North America.
Sankovich's participation grounded his understanding and helped to later develop the firm's
commitment to ministerial service as the foundation for the Catholic cemetery's mission. This
approach calls for ministerial service to be carried out through paraclesis, catechesis, and
evangelization.
Paraclesis: The ministry of comfort is enhanced through employee skill development. When employees
see their work as ministry, they consistently show a high degree of empathy and concern for
clients and visitors. This creates a religious environment that makes Catholic cemeteries unique.
Catechesis: Program leaders are obligated to share information about church teachings related to
life, death, and life after death. These leaders build the Kingdom of God through an education
process that focuses on the physical presence and role of Catholic cemeteries in a community.
Evangelization: Many who visit Catholic cemeteries for committal services or routinely pass by them
are not Catholic. The physical presence of Catholic cemeteries can effectively witness to Catholic
beliefs about life, death, and life after death. The commitment to witness resurrection faith and
the demeanor and professionalism of Catholic cemetery employees contribute to evangelization.
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