Pentacle is a prominent symbol of witchcraft
Q: I'm a pagan and have been on this path since 1992 even though I was born into the Catholic faith. In 1995, my wife and I lost our 25-year-old son in an accident. He was a passenger in a vehicle where the driver fell asleep. At that time, we purchased three burial plots in a Catholic cemetery and buried our son in a plot between the two plots we've designated for ourselves.
In April of 2007, the Department of Veterans Affairs approved the pentacle as an emblem of faith for veterans to be placed on their headstones. My question is, as a pagan veteran, can my emblem of faith, the pentacle, be placed on a stone in a Catholic cemetery? I know that at the time of my son's death the Catholic Cemetery Associations had to approve all non-Catholic symbols placed in the cemetery. At that time, I asked the association to approve my son's nickname and his favorite football team being put on the stone, which they did. I have not asked them to approve the pentacle symbol yet because I wanted to first ask your opinion. -- A., Hamden, Conn.
A: The pentacle, or pentagram, a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle, is not just a symbol of paganism but is also the most prominent symbol of witchcraft. Unlike nicknames and football teams, this is not a symbol of some personal passions, but of a religious tradition that is anti-Catholic. That should settle the matter.
Aside from other difficulties, the principal teaching of the Wiccan religion is that we are one with the universe. The foundational teaching of all three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) is that the universe is a creation of God, not a part of God. Asking a Catholic cemetery to display a pentacle is like asking a Jewish cemetery to display a swastika. Even though both symbols are thousands of years old, their modern meanings are deeply offensive and they obviously should not be displayed.
The decision of the Department of Veteran's Affairs obviously has no bearing on the teachings of the Catholic Church. The VA's properly secular approach must be more inclusive. The larger question is, why would you, a pagan, choose to bury your son in a cemetery maintained and dedicated to a faith you reject? Your choice in this is obvious: Either hold off on requesting that a pentacle symbol be placed on your son's headstone, or have his remains moved to a non-denominational cemetery which might have no objection to the display of such a symbol.
Sadly, many such burial problems can come up after a family has rushed into a spiritually unwise decision. As creepy and grim as it may seem to many people, it is a good idea to discuss such issues before the trauma and chaos of a sudden death.
Just to make certain that my suppositions about this matter were correct, I called the Catholic Cemetery Association you referenced. Of course, I did not use your name. I identified myself and asked about the pentacle symbol, which the association confirmed would not be allowed. I was worried they were going to ask me, "Rabbi Gellman, how long have you been a witch?" However, both Carol and Larry, who helped me, were very accommodating and pleasant. Oh, the things I do to research the answers to reader questions!
May God comfort you in the loss of your son. And God bless you in this universe, which we see in very different ways.
Q: I have two questions. First, if you are not Jewish but attend a Jewish ceremony -- a Bar Mitzvah, for example -- are you required to wear a yarmulke? Secondly, if you are not Catholic but attend a Catholic ceremony -- a wedding, as an example -- are you required to kneel during the kneeling parts of the mass? -- M., via godsquadquestion@aol.com
A: Yes and no, or sometimes, no and no. It just depends.
The Jewish head covering called a yarmulke (in Yiddish) and a kippah (in Hebrew) is not required by Jewish law but it has become a custom observed by all Orthodox Jews in and outside the synagogue, by Conservative Jews in the synagogue, and by some Reform Jews in the synagogue.
A non-Jewish visitor to a synagogue service is not required to wear a kippah. However, in congregations where all Jewish men are required to wear one, a non-Jewish male guest should also wear one. The reason is, the ushers have no idea who he is and it would be embarrassing to have to ask.
The basic rule of thumb (I mean head) is that if an usher hands a guy a kippah, then he should put it on. Another clue: If there's a basket of yarmulkes outside the sanctuary, this is usually a sign that men should cover their heads. In most Reform synagogues, wearing a kippah is optional. A discreet question to your hosts or to the synagogue in advance of the service should clear up any questions about local practices.
Jewish guests at a Catholic service are obviously not allowed to take Communion. Kneeling is also a long forbidden practice for Jews in church. Jewish guests at a Catholic service should stand when the congregation stands, but just sit respectfully when the congregants kneel. I really love singing hymns in church, but I do scan the lyrics for any Jesus is the Christ references.
Welcoming guests to a prayer service is just as much of a joy as being a guest. These are the times we get to appreciate the many different ways up the same mountain.
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