"Well, but that would mean that on the death of such and such a Non-Catholic, we should have to institute a process of inquisition, and adjudicate on his or her life and career:" Ferraio ventured.
Hadrian threw His cigarette-end at a lizard on the gravel, and laughed shortly. "'Pippety-pew, me mammy me slew, me daddy me ate, me sister Kate gathered a' me baines——'" He quoted with deliciously feline inconsequence. "How you theological people do split straws, to be sure! Go on, though. You're intensely interesting."
The Patriarch of Lisbon slapped his knee.
"Holiness, there are several decrees which are supposed to bear on the subject," Gentilotto gently put in.
"Can Your Eminency remember them?"
"Innocent III. ruled that communion might not be held with those deceased, with whom it had not been held when they were alive."
"I concede it. But it doesn't touch the point. I distinguish. Holy Mass is more than mere communion. Besides, we don't communicate with, but on behalf of, the deceased. It's not a concession to the deceased. It's our duty to God and to our neighbour," Carvale persisted.
"Then there was the case of Gregory XVI. and Queen Caroline of Bavaria," Gentilotto continued. "The argument is the same: but perhaps it has been expanded a little. It definitely prohibits persons, who have died in the eternal and notorious profession of heresy, from being honoured with Catholic rites."
"Another point occurs to me," Talacryn went on. "Supposing that we sing requiems for Non-Catholics, we should imply that one religion is as good as another."