A chara, – It was good to read that Anthony J Jordan ("Church aside, of course all babies go to heaven", Rite & Reason, February 10th) was able to trace the burial and baptism of his infant child Antonia who died in 1970. It seems to be a universal human trait in all human cultures, including those of no religious faith, to have practices to mark the life and death of one of the community.
Following the Second Vatican Council, the renewal of various Catholic rites, including that of funerals, took place. The revised funeral rite was published in 1969, and an English translation in 1970. These had sections to include children who died before baptism. The revised edition of this in 1989 includes provision for the naming of the child where this has not already been done. Other Christian churches have their own rites. Dealing with such events in hospitals where the child is born has also developed greatly.
It is difficult for us today to imagine what was normal practice 50 and more years ago. In the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, it is particularly welcome that Judge Yvonne Murphy will be joined by Prof Mary Daly, a social historian. “The methodology . . . shall include a literature-based academic social history module to establish an objective and comprehensive historical analysis of significant matters.” This is essential in any good investigation of years gone by. – Is mise,
PÁDRAIG McCARTHY,
Sandyford
Dublin 16.