Funeral For Mobster 'Whitey' Bulger Held In Boston

BOSTON, MA — A funeral for James "Whitey" Bulger, the former leader of Boston's old Winter Hill Gang who was killed last week while serving life in prison for 11 murders, was quietly held Thursday morning in South Boston.

Rev. James A. Flavin confirmed in a statement the Mass was held at the request of the Bulger family and described it as a private event. Flavin, a pastor at St. Monica-St. Augustine Church, held the Mass.

"The Church is certainly aware of the deep pain that innocent victims of crime and violence live with every day," he said. "Whenever we celebrate Mass we remember in prayer all victims of violence."

The Boston Archdiocese did not immediately return Patch's request for comment.

Bulger was found dead in a West Virginia federal prison last week just a day after he was moved there. Federal investigators are looking into two organized crime mobsters from Massachusetts who are also at that prison.

It's still unclear why Bulger, 89, was transferred from the US Penitentiary Coleman in Florida to the West Virginia prison with limited medical care.

Flavin's statement was as follows:

"At the request of and out of pastoral care for the Bulger family, the pastor offered a Mass today at St. Monica Church in Boston for James Bulger. Out of respect for the family and those who were hurt, it was a private service just for the immediate family. The Church is a spiritual home for any person or family seeking God's Wisdom and peace in a time of crisis and grief.

"The Church is certainly aware of the deep pain that innocent victims of crime and violence live with every day. Whenever we celebrate Mass we remember in prayer all victims of violence. In my homily, I said, 'from the beginning of creation it was God who brought order and peace in the midst of chaos. When our parents failed in the Garden of Eden God sent His only Son Jesus to once again bring order and peace to a chaotic word through His death on the cross. I am certain that God is present to everyone suffering chaos and pain. We pray that everyone is able to feel the peaceful presence of God and His son Jesus in the midst of chaos and pain.

"As Catholic priests we are called to bury the dead and pray for God's justice and mercy. We entrust our final judgement to God."

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Photos courtesy FBI and US Marshall's office