The Dignity of Death

 We are all made in the image of God.  As such, we all deserve to be treated with dignity, especially in death.  In fact, one of the corporal works of mercy is to bury the dead.  

With that in mind, what do you think of all the news vultures circling the pope's hospital bed?  I think it's disgusting.  But it's all for naught, because when the pope does die, as we all will, it won't be announced from a hospital bed.  There's a procedure.

Remember, the pope is the Bishop of Rome, so the people in his parish and diocese will learn that he has died, first.  Then the diplomatic corps, who will then distribute the news, appropriately.  This will be a formal announcement from the papal chapel. 

Ever since I saw the movie Conclave, I've been interested in the pope's death and the following procedures.  I love watching rituals.  

Respect

A former Correctional Officer told a wonderful story, today. He was reminiscing about his first day as a CO.  As he was making his morning rounds, an inmate asked him to get him a pair of socks, since the ones he had were all wet and full of holes.  The CO said he would.

The day was busy and the CO forgot.  Actually, not quite--he almost forgot.  As he was punching out, at the time clock, he remembered.  He went back into the prison, got a pair of socks, and went back to the inmate and gave them to him.

The inmate was shocked.  He said that he had seen the CO leave and thought to himself that he was like many of the CO's and just enjoyed jerking the inmates around. Some CO's think the inmates are less than human.

That inmate's opinion was turned around and he found respect for that CO.  Not only the inmate found respect, but the CO also realized that people are people, whether they are in prison or not, and deserve to be treated as such.  

Respect people and they respect you back.