Australian Church imposes eulogy limits.

CARDINAL GEORGE PELL HAS imposed a five-minute limit on eulogies at funeral masses and banned any references to sex or drinking. The new guidelines include the following: "On not a few occasions, inappropriate remarks glossing over the deceased's proclivities (drinking prowess, romantic conquests etc.) or about the Church (attacking its moral teachings) have been made at funeral masses." They continue, "The reflection should be prepared beforehand, and ideally be reviewed with the priest or presiding minister beforehand, to avoid undue length or embarrassing situations." Catholic hierarchies in other countries often ban lay people from giving eulogies at funeral masses, but the church in Australia allows for a few short words of remembrance from a family member or friend.