Why the remains of Richard III of England should receive Catholic burial

Portrait of Richard III of England, painted c. 1520

The remains of Richard III, King of England, have been discovered more than 600 years after the battle of Bosworth in which he died at 32 years of age.

Matching DNA, evidence of battle wounds, a scoliosis-curved spine, and the location of his grave where the Grayfriars in Leicester used to be all attest that the discovered remains are authentically those of the sovereign whose death represented the end of the Plantagenet dynasty and the rise of the Tudors to the English throne.

Discussions are now underway in British government circles as to the proper burial place of the king’s remains, with Leicester Cathedral and Westminster Abbey being offered as options.

Disturbingly though, there is also mention of a “multi-faith burial service.” This is wrong-headed. The ritual and ceremony should be strictly Roman Catholic. Regardless of his failings, Richard III died as a member of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, and should be buried as one.

Here are links to related British news articles:

http://royalnewsblog.com/2013/02/richard-iii-dna-confirms-twisted-bones-belong-to-king/

http://royalnewsblog.com/2013/02/king-richard-iiis-face-recreated-from-skull/

http://royalnewsblog.com/2013/02/its-like-richard-iii-wanted-to-be-found/

http://royalnewsblog.com/2013/02/richard-iiis-body-becomes-subject-of-rival-claims/