When a Criminal is Dead, Enmity Ceases

General situation:

Priebke is being denied burial.

Holy Writ:

Tobias 1:[16] And when he was come to Rages a city of the Medes, and had ten talents of silver of that with which he had been honoured by the king: [17] And when amongst a great multitude of his kindred, he saw Gabelus in want, who was one of his tribe, taking a note of his hand he gave him the aforesaid sum of money. [18] But after a long time, Salmanasar the king being dead, when Sennacherib his son, who reigned in his place, had a hatred for the children of Israel: [19] Tobias daily went among all his kindred, and comforted them, and distributed to every one as he was able, out of his goods: [20] He fed the hungry, and gave clothes to the naked, and was careful to bury the dead, and they that were slain.

[21] And when king Sennacherib was come back, fleeing from Judea by reason of the slaughter that God had made about him for his blasphemy, and being angry slew many of the children of Israel, Tobias buried their bodies. [22] But when it was told the king, he commanded him to be slain, and took away all his substance. [23] But Tobias fleeing naked away with his son and with his wife, lay concealed, for many loved him. [24] But after forty-five days, the king was killed by his own sons. [25] And Tobias returned to his house, and all his substance was restored to him.

ANTIGONE

What, hath not Creon destined our brothers, the one to honoured burial, the other to unburied shame? Eteocles, they say, with due observance of right and custom, he hath laid in the earth, for his honour among the dead below. But the hapless corpse of Polyneices-as rumour saith, it hath been published to the town that none shall entomb him or mourn, but leave unwept, unsepulchred, a welcome store for the birds, as they espy him, to feast on at will.

Such, 'tis said, is the edict that the good Creon hath set forth for thee and for me,-yes, for me,-and is coming hither to proclaim it clearly to those who know it not; nor counts the matter light, but, whoso disobeys in aught, his doom is death by stoning before all the folk. Thou knowest it now; and thou wilt soon show whether thou art nobly bred, or the base daughter of a noble line.

General reflexion:

The Spandau prisoner was denied burial. He was cremated and his ashes spread into the Baltic. Osama Bin Laden was denied burial, his body was sunk into the Mediterranean. Now Priebke too?

Is modern society trying to rival Sennacherib and Creon in impiety?

If so we may be not very far from the day in which two witnesses will be slain dead in the City that is spiritually called Sodom, where their Master was crucified, and their bodies will lie without burial for three and a half days until God intervenes.

Architects are trying to rival some of the better qualities of Babylon in the cheap blocks like those I walked past this morning, which had real hanging gardens, fine plant pots on each balcony and the plant pots in concrete.

Alas, politicians are rivalling the less pleasant qualities of Assyria.

In Christ is neither Greek nor Jew, but all are one in Christ. And they are also one in burying the dead. One against Assyria. One against Creon.

Even Habsburg is against Assyria, saying that poor sinners can be buried.

Herald

Knock, knock

Capuchin Church

Who is there?

Herald

The Emperor.

Capuchin Church

We do not know him.

Herald

Knock, knock

Capuchin Church

Who is there?

Herald

The King.

Capuchin Church

We do not know him.

Herald

Knock, knock

Capuchin Church

Who is there?

Herald

A poor sinner.

Capuchin Church

Him we know. (And the corpse of the deceased Emperor is allowed in).

And Our Lord promised one named man Paradise:

Hodie eris mecum in Paradiso. St Luke, 23:43

It is relevant. You see ...

St Dismas had also killed civilians.