To Benedict, from Kennedy, via Obama

Perhaps I'll be censored but it's clear Tddy will need all the help he can get when he meets his maker.

Judge not, lest ye be judged. We will all need all the help we can get on that day.

This is your friendly neighborhood blogger here -- I've already had to spike several comments to this post, so I want to be as clear as I can: ordinarily, I allow a wide latitude for comments on my blog posts, including a fair amount of nastiness that makes my stomach turn, in the interest of free and open dialogue. But when the subject is someone with a fatal illness (a situation I previously encountered when writing about a priest with pancreatic cancer), the rules are different. If you can't find some way to express your opinions with civility and decency, your comment will not be approved on this post.

Thank you, Michael. Ted Kennedy is flawed, as are we all, but he has been a giant in the US Senate for Massachusetts and for the entire country. For him to reach out to his spiritual leader through our President is moving in its display of vulnerability, trust, and faith. He is suffering through a terrible disease and has earned our sympathy and support.

We can ALL use prayers...... Senator Kennedy, President Obama, and even the Pope. The President's delivery of a letter and request for prayers for a friend is a simple act of human friendship and kindness. Leave it at that....

Shame on the Pope. As the head of the Church he should never embrace a pro-choice zealot like Obama. He missed a great opportunity to make a statement. But as a German man did he fear being called a racist because he is from the WWII era? ? I am sick of all the frauds being perpetrated on us by so-called heads of State. None of them stand for anything or know what they are doing. They are jokes.

Michael, we applaud your decency and professionalism as the attention craving uninformed strive to get their cynical and truly peculiar commentary front and center on this blog. Please don't allow or condone it. They need help.

We are all praying for you, Ted. I hope you're enjoying a beautiful day on the Cape and awash in the prayers and good wishes coming your way from the Vatican and all around the world. Godspeed.

Recently heard that Sen. Kennedy is turning away meetings with the planners of his new library and government service center. Condition may be worsening, and all faiths that respect his commitment to serve his country and acknowledge his accomplishments continue to keep him in our prayers.

Kudos to you for actually sceening the screed. I wish more owners of threads did that.

I believe in prayer and I'm hoping the Pope will say a special prayer for Senator Kennedy. It is evident that the president cares deeply for his friend to carry his letter to the Pope. I wish the senator restored health in the near future.

Here's hoping (and praying) Sen. Kennedy repents and rejoins the Church.

Decency and respect should always be the rule of the day!
But Senator Kennedy is still a public figure and my elected Senator. I'm going to give him my truth on the issues until he's not. Anything less seems more disrespectful to me.

Kudos to Michael Paulson for not allowing critical comments about Mr. Kennedy on this post. We have too much free speech in this country. I never ceased to be outraged by those ignorant people who think the media should always present all points of view.

Sen. Kennedy, you've done a job. I wish you the best of shoe laces.

Ted has excommunicated himself from the church!! I do pray he will have a major mea culpa before he meets Jesus! But as far as he being from the most famous Catholic family................Spare me!!

Actually, no one knows the content of the letter. Maybe Kennedy was putting in a good word for Obama!

A "missive"? Aren't we just so smart Michael. Why not just call it an epistle and they can add it to the second new testament? That one will be for Barack, of course, your new savior (when's BO gonna walk on water by the way)?

Cut the American Catholic lore garbage out too ...this is a relic of the 1960's.....I go to mass every Sunday, and few there (except for a few blue-hairs) have any fondness for the Senator. Catholics who try to live within the teachings of the faith (too bad that's not a redundancy) know the injury that he and his friends have wrought upon the "mother church."

Kennedy abandoned the teachings of the Catholic church years ago if he ever actually embraced them at all. He is not a Catholic icon and he is not a Catholic. This was probably a calculated political move to help neutralize any criticism that may have come from the Pope toward Obama for his very anti-Catholic policies after their meetings. Somehow, someway, Obama did manage to deceive the majority of American Catholics during the election, so why not do everything possible to continue the ruse.

Someone commented "Shame on the Pope for embracing a pro-choice Zealot like Obama."
But the pope is a priest first, and like Christ, has no problem working with the imperfect and the very imperfect. The story reveals Ted attended daily Mass after the loss of his mother, and this is a practice most Catholics are unable toparticipate in far any number of reasons. God is great, and it is not for us to know what is happening in the private spirituality of Ted. We must pray for him. I never liked him, but we must pray that his soul is saved and his encounter with Christ is a good one.

I appreciate that Mrs. Obama chose to dress modestly to meet His Holiness, but did she really have to dress like a nun? Just wondering.

Dear Pope, please forgive me for the Big Dig.

Your Favorite Catholic Senator,
Teddy

As a Catholic, when you go to confession, you have to ask forgiveness and repent. In the eyes of the Church, he is still living in sin (as a divorced man who remarried). He still believes in abortion and "gay" lifestyles. As most politicians, he is a hypocrite and has not earned any respect.

Hey
I am as conservative as a person can be, and I totally disagree with almost everything Ted Kennedy stands for.
Having said that, I must also give the man his kudos for this.
Whenever I have called or emailed his office, I always get a reply.
He does truly believe he is a representative of the people and acts as such.
Try getting an answer from Kerry.

All of you who make judgements about Senator Kennedy's stand on social issues or on mistakes he may have made in the past, need to celebrate the wonderful work he has done for the less fortunate in the USA and in the world. I may disagree with the senator on many issues but I am grateful for his staunch leadership in congress. He has made the world a much better place. I wish him good health and happiness!

G-d Bless Sen. Kennedy. May he be blessed with only the best of health. May all the haters who post here find a way to actually be a human being.

The Globe is really giving Teddy a victory lap, only his maker will decide if it was deserved.

If the letter were truely private and personal and for the Pope's eyes only, it never would have hit the press and would be passed from the president's hand to the pope's hand in a private moment... This "private note" was sent for all of us to see.

"Yea, Yee have your reward"

Those who find it necessary to criticize the Senator's letter clearly demonstrate their inability to face the truth. They do not know what is in the letter, and and they do not really know what kind of human being the senator is. He has done more good than harm thus far in his life. There is no denying this fact. It is hardly possible to say that about many people.

To the judgmental bloggers - Wow! Do you get a rush thinking you are actually better than anyone else? Here's a flash - you aren't! None of us are. It's none of your business! What makes you think you require anyone else's personal information? The negative comments on this and other blogs indicate that our society resides in a place where the public actually believes that they are OWED access to the personal and private information of public figures. HELLO! Your behavior is what you ought to be ashamed of. Why doesn't your behavior shame YOU?

All presidents visit major world leaders, religious or non. But I do think the 'I-Thou and Thou-I' symbolism represented in both the delivery of a message which has been written by one of the cornerstones of American connections to the Vatican and the First Lady's conservative Catholic outfit are amazingly significant. First, what connects President Obama to the Vatican? Not much, at least from a public perspective - if anything, the President has spoken about freedom of religion which includes all religions. So, having a Catholic (Teddy) respond to the Pope in a very Catholic way (ask for the Pope's blessing) endorses good will and peaceful intent for future engagements on behalf of the President. Now, the First Lady's outfit is also significant because she is wearing black and a veil. This is very Catholic but it is interesting that she is not covering her face which is usually a Catholic custom to signify mourning or someone's death. But perhaps this is what it signifies, that someone near his death bed (Teddy) is seeking the Pope's blessing while the President is seeking peaceful engagement with the Vatican. Senator Kennedy is the last living deepest link between American politics and the Vatican. So, Bravo! to whoever designed this visit.

Mr. Paulson, kudos to you for holding those who comment on your blog to a high standard re: their comments. How refreshing. Perhaps we could all subscribe to that mentality on every blog we grace with our verbal presence. Thanks so much.

I wonder how many of the individuals who have taken this opportunity to express their hatred of the senator - espcially those the author had to admonish - would consider themselves Catholic, Christian, or well-adjusted.

Just wondering.

Ted Kennedy is an icon. He might not be a Senator from my state of California, but I love Senator Kennedy and the Kennedy family all the same. What Senator Kennedy has done for us in all these years has been invaluable. Someday we will all see that and not just Democrats. The Kennedys have showm us all what commitment to public service really is about, and loyalty to this country. This man has endured so much, including the assassinations of his brothers in the 1960's, and also a plane crash which almost ended his life in 1964. Senator Kennedy has continued to work for us all for a better country . Those who insult him in his time of vulnerablity-shame on you.

Just how do all the people quoted in the article and the commenters know that Sen. Kennedy's private letter to the Pope was a request for prayers? There was nothing in the article about the contents of the letter--for all we know from the article, they could be making bets on soccer matches!

"I wonder how many of the individuals who have taken this opportunity to express their hatred of the senator - espcially those the author had to admonish - would consider themselves Catholic, Christian, or well-adjusted.

Just wondering."

Posted by Q. Rius July 11, 09 12:28 AM

First of all, I agree with Michael Paulson's decision to exercize a fine-tuned censorship in the case of Ted Kennedy, and anyone else in such poor health or similar circumstances. But Michael, i hope you don't do the same for the regular issues. We need a place to express, even vehemently, thoughts and feelings about issues, and yes, even about public figures, always drawing the line at outright obvious lies, malicious slander, etc. You are a good judge on the difference between the 2.

Secondly, I just can't understand 'why a letter from Ted K. to the pope? I seriously doubt that it could be anything in the way of repenting for sins or seeking spiritual guidance, only because that kind of activity is much better in person, and there are thousands of caring, competent priests and others on this side of the ocean, and
the senator knows many.

I wonder if it could be something in the way of Ted's thoughts about the Church, the direction he thinks it should take on certain issues in the future, etc.? If so, of course the pope will reply with a very cordial, caring, pastoral letter, which of course would not agree to any unorthodox changes. I sincerely hope that Mr. Kennedy's mental powers have not slipped so that he would be writing
incoherent or embarrassing things, but you would think his wife would step in. But we will never know, unless the Kennedy's reveal the contents, because we know the pope won't.

Lastly, Q. Rius, as I read through these posts, i didn't see one that expressed hatred for Mr. Kennedy. Many were sympathetic. Even the harsh ones do not express hatred for Kennedy the man himself, but hatred for his egregiously wrong-headed and often heretical opinions on the issues. Big difference. Hate the sin, love the sinner. As someone said above, that's why the pope, at heart a kind hearted priest, meets with all comers, trying to reach the mind and heart and soul underneath the objectionable policies.

I even disagree with joseph richard fitzgerald that Kennedy has done wonderful work for the less fortunate. I am sure he sincerely thinks he has, but imo and the opinion of many, he has made the plight of the less fortunate worse, rather than better, by making them more dependent on government. His sincerely liberal opinions give people a fish, rather than teaching them how to fish. Mere sincerity on an issue doesn't mean that you have the correct, long term solution.

Andrew Bartolomei wrote

"Ted Kennedy is an icon. He might not be a Senator from my state of California, but I love Senator Kennedy and the Kennedy family all the same."

Andrew, some things and some people are best appreciated from afar. If you had to live under the domination of Kennedyism like we have here in MA, you get to know them more 'warts and all,' as they say. They say 'no man is a hero to his
valet,' and in a sense we all here in MA have been this family's valets for most of a century, The years since the Kennedy presidency have coincided with the cultural and civilizational collapse of our nation, and i believe that this is no coincidence, that they are part of the cause. But personally, of course, I wish Ted and the rest of them well.

Shame on the Pope for "embracing" Obama? Shame on Obama for taking one letter from one Catholic (in name only) to the Pope. How long are the Kennedy lovers going to give Teddy 'It's easy to appear magnamimous with other peoples money' Kennedy? Teddy is no Icon, he is a buffoon! Kennedy has done nothing except posture and push legislation that never costs him anything just US. Now he's sponsoring the cruest hoax of all...Universal healthcare!

gaudete:

I'm glad to hear you wish Ted Kennedy "and the rest of them" well. However, I'm still puzzled by a few things.

May I ask what moves you to conjecture with such confidence, and cynicism, about the contents of a letter from a man at the end of his life to his spiritual leader?

May I also ask what moves you to sneak in this little jab about a dying man?

"I sincerely hope that Mr. Kennedy's mental powers have not slipped so that he would be writing incoherent or embarrassing things, but you would think his wife would step in."

As I'm sure you must know, given your tremendous wisdom and profound faith, such comments seem incommensurable, to the untrained eye, with the virtues of Christian charity. This is especially so in light of what Ted Kennedy and his family must be going through right now.

But I'm sure you can straighten us lesser individuals out. Thanking you in advance, I remain deeply

Q Rius wrote: "May I ask what moves you to conjecture with such confidence, and cynicism, about the contents of a letter from a man at the end of his life to his spiritual leader?

May I also ask what moves you to sneak in this little jab about a dying man?

"I sincerely hope that Mr. Kennedy's mental powers have not slipped so that he would be writing incoherent or embarrassing things, but you would think his wife would step in."

As I'm sure you must know, given your tremendous wisdom and profound faith, such comments seem incommensurable, to the untrained eye, with the virtues of Christian charity"

Q Rius,

As you correctly note, my guesses about the letter's content were "conjectures," so i did not offer them with confidence, just semi-educated guessing, like everyone else. And I object to your characterizing my comments as "cynical" and that I was sneaking in a "little jab about a dying man." that is one of the great downfalls of emails/blogs, is that you don't know me, i don't know you, you can't see my body language etc. You'll have to take my word for it, i was not being cynical, and not taking a jab at the senator, i meant my remarks in all sincerity and concern for him and his family, despite my disagreement with him on the issues. Yes, i often use satire and sarcasm to make my points, but this isn't one of them.

but i think you have a narrow vision of 'Christian charity.' Many think that means to be sweet, kind, gentle, kind of wimpy, but that is not all there was to the originator of Christian charity, Jesus, was. For instance, i'm sure the pope was sweet kind and gentle with Prez Obama, but i'm also sure he was firm and 'candid' as they say about trying to dissuade the Prez. on certain issues. It is charitable to scream at someone who is about to get hit by a car, and even tackle them to get them out of the way, and sometimes the pope, and all of us, teach by giving a firm, prophetic admonishment about someone's wrong opinions or actions.

Everyone enjoy the gorgeous day!

If Teddy boy cared about the people of Massachusetts then he would step down and give up his seat. We have 1 less seat representing this state... well basically 2 empty seats. The other being Kerry. We all respect the fight he is going through but its time for him to call it a career.

I'm going to address the topic at hand and not Senator Kennedy's adherence to Catholicism or whatever because what business is that of mine.

In my Political Science class at UMass in 1977, yikes, 32 years ago?, we wrote a group paper on the future of health care. Even then, Ted Kennedy's plan figured prominently. Because of that paper, my career has centered around health care quality. Go, Teddy! I really, really want you to live to see your dreams come true.

Everyone is so critical nowadays and rather mean, especially to a man suffering from brain cancer. I am in California like I stated earlier. And yes I am a follower of the Kennedy family. I do not have to live in Mass. to appreciate Senator Kennedy. I see him as a man who was rather spoiled and happy go lucky growing up. He had these amazing older brothers who he had a hard time measuring up to. His brother's were killed (after first losing his oldest brother and sister Kathleen years before) and he had to go through some heavy sole searching to find his own niche, which he did. And what a great Senator he became. Maybe the best ever.