O'Malley defends role in Kennedy funeral
Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston tonight has posted on his blog an unusual statement explaining why he decided to preside at the funeral of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and what he talked about during his two to three minute exchange with President Obama before the funeral Mass began. The cardinal made the statement after criticism, in the form of phone calls and e-mails to the archdiocese and comments by some bloggers and organizations, lambasting the cardinal for participating in the funeral of a prominent Catholic politician who supported abortion rights. The archdiocese says the cardinal also received multiple expressions of gratitude for his decision to participate in the funeral, but that because of the criticism he wanted to explain his decision.
Here is the statement:
Saturday was the 39th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood, at St. Augustine’s Church in Pittsburgh by Bishop John B. McDowell, who is still going strong today. In the Church’s calendar, the feast day for August 29 is the Beheading of John the Baptist. People usually take note when I tell them that I was professed to religious life on Bastille Day, July 14, and ordained on the feast of the Beheading. Not that I am superstitious.On Saturday morning I attended the funeral Mass for Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Father Donald Monan, S.J., former president of Boston College, celebrated the Mass and Father Mark Hession, pastor of Our Lady of Victories in Centerville, preached the homily.
The music was outstanding with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus enriching the liturgy along with mezzo-soprano Susan Graham who later sang an absolutely striking rendition of Schubert’s “Ave Maria.” Cellist Yo-Yo Ma graced us with his beautiful solo performance of Bach and later joined Placido Domingo, who sang the “Panis Angelicus.” Placido has a superb voice. I told him how much I like the Zarzuela, the Spanish classical musical theater productions. His family had a troupe that presented Zarzuelas in Mexico and he promised to arrange a performance.
The venue for the funeral Mass was Mission Church, the magnificent Redemptorist Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Senator Kennedy prayed often in this church when his daughter, Kara, was stricken with cancer. It is a church where countless faithful have gone to pray and ask for healing, grace and forgiveness.
In light of these themes, I wish to address our Catholic faithful who have voiced both support and disappointment at my having presided at the Senator’s funeral Mass.
Needless to say, the Senator’s wake and Catholic funeral were controversial because of the fact that he did not publically support Catholic teaching and advocacy on behalf of the unborn. Given the profound effect of Catholic social teaching on so many of the programs and policies espoused by Senator Kennedy and the millions who benefitted from them, there is a tragic sense of lost opportunity in his lack of support for the unborn. To me and many Catholics it was a great disappointment because, had he placed the issue of life at the centerpiece of the Social Gospel where it belongs, he could have multiplied the immensely valuable work he accomplished.
The thousands of people who lined the roads as the late Senator’s motorcade travelled from Cape Cod to Boston and the throngs that crowded the Kennedy Library for two days during the lying in repose, I believe, were there to pay tribute to these many accomplishments rather than as an endorsement of the Senator’s voting record on abortion.
The crowds also were there to pay tribute to the Kennedy family as a whole. On the national political landscape, if Barack Obama broke the glass ceiling of the presidency for African Americans, Jack Kennedy broke it for American Catholics.
As a young lad, I saw photographs of both Pope John XXIII and President John Kennedy hanging in the thatched cottages of County Mayo and heard the Gaelic greeting, “God and Mary be with you.” Three of the Kennedy brothers died in service of our country in the prime of life. And Eunice Shriver, who died just a few weeks ago, was an outspoken defender of the unborn and an apostle of the Gospel of Life. She taught us all how to love special children and to make room for everyone at the table of life. In 1992, Eunice petitioned her party’s convention to consider “a new understanding” of the issue, “one that does not pit mother against child,” but instead seeks “policies that responsibly protect and advance the interest of mothers and their children, both before and after birth.”
Much of what is noble in the politics and work of the Kennedys had its origins in the bedrock of the faith of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. As a young woman she had a profound experience of God’s love that transformed her life. She strove to communicate that faith to her large clan. Since the time of her funeral Mass I have kept her memorial prayer card, inscribed with Rose Kennedy’s own words:
"If God were to take away all His blessings, health, physical fitness, wealth, intelligence, and leave me but one gift, I would ask for faith – for with faith in Him and His goodness, mercy, love for me, and belief in everlasting life, I believe I could suffer the loss of my other gifts and still be happy – trustful, leaving all to His inscrutable Providence."
There are those who objected, in some cases vociferously, to the Church’s providing a Catholic funeral for the Senator. In the strongest terms I disagree with that position. At the Senator’s interment on Saturday evening, with his family’s permission, we learned of details of his recent personal correspondence with Pope Benedict XVI. It was very moving to hear the Senator acknowledging his failing to always be a faithful Catholic, and his request for prayers as he faced the end of his life. The Holy Father’s expression of gratitude for the Senator’s pledge of prayer for the Church, his commendation of the Senator and his family to the intercession of the Blessed Mother, and his imparting the Apostolic Blessing, spoke of His Holiness’ role as the Vicar of Christ, the Good Shepherd who leaves none of the flock behind.
As Archbishop of Boston, I considered it appropriate to represent the Church at this liturgy out of respect for the Senator, his family, those who attended the Mass and all those who were praying for the Senator and his family at this difficult time. We are people of faith and we believe in a loving and forgiving God from whom we seek mercy.
Advocating for the dignity of life is central to my role as a priest and a bishop. One of my greatest satisfactions in my ministry thus far was helping to overturn the abortion laws in Honduras. The person who answered my call for help with that effort was Dr. Bernard Nathanson, who had been a prominent leader in NARAL and the abortion rights movement. His own change of heart led Dr. Nathanson from a practice of providing abortions to becoming one of the most eloquent exponents of the pro-life movement.
Helen Alvaré, who is one of the most outstanding pro-life jurists, a former Director of the Bishops' Pro-life Office and a long standing consultant to the USCCB Committee for Pro-Life Activities, has always said that the pro-life movement is best characterized by what it is for, not against. We are for the precious gift of life, and our task is to build a civilization of love. We must show those who do not share our belief about life that we care about them. We will stop the practice of abortion by changing the law, and we will be successful in changing the law if we change people’s hearts. We will not change hearts by turning away from people in their time of need and when they are experiencing grief and loss.
At times, even in the Church, zeal can lead people to issue harsh judgments and impute the worst motives to one another. These attitudes and practices do irreparable damage to the communion of the Church. If any cause is motivated by judgment, anger or vindictiveness, it will be doomed to marginalization and failure. Jesus’ words to us were that we must love one another as He loves us. Jesus loves us while we are still in sin. He loves each of us first, and He loves us to the end. Our ability to change people’s hearts and help them to grasp the dignity of each and every life, from the first moment of conception to the last moment of natural death, is directly related to our ability to increase love and unity in the Church, for our proclamation of the Truth is hindered when we are divided and fighting with each other.
President Obama and three former presidents attended Senator Kennedy’s funeral. I had the opportunity to speak briefly with President Obama, to welcome him to the Basilica and to share with him that the bishops of the Catholic Church are anxious to support a plan for universal health care, but we will not support a plan that will include a provision for abortion or could open the way to abortions in the future. The President was gracious in the short time we spoke, he listened intently to what I was saying.
Democrats and Republicans sat side by side in the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, praying for Senator Kennedy and his family. It is my sincere hope that all people who long to promote the cause of life will pray and work together to change hearts, to bring about an increased respect for life, and to change laws so as to make America a safe place for all, including the unborn.
The cardinal's statement appears to have been provoked by the widespread discussion among Catholic opinion leaders and writers about how the church should have responded to Kennedy's death, given that the senator was a member of the most prominent Catholic family in American history, and a champion on many elements of Catholic social teaching, but also a supporter of abortion rights as well as an advocate for gay rights and a man whose personal failings had also been well chronicled.
There has been ample criticism of the hierarchy's role in the Kennedy funeral rites. Raymond Arroyo, the news director at Eternal Word Television Network, blogged:
The prayer intercessions at the funeral mass, the endless eulogies, the image of the Cardinal Archbishop of Boston reading prayers, and finally Cardinal McCarrick interring the remains sent an uncontested message: One may defy Church teaching, publicly lead others astray, deprive innocent lives of their rights, and still be seen a good Catholic, even an exemplary one. The casual viewer is tempted to think that Catholicism has become a Church of externals where core doctrines and major teachings are as malleable as they are in the nearest Protestant community. Or worse, to think it all a hollow show.
Elizabeth Scalia, over at First Things, was also concerned, writing, "By all means, the good done in every life should be remembered and celebrated, but in the twenty-first century it is a problematic hagiography that dismisses some genuinely deleterious public behavior with a shrugging, 'as we’re all flawed, let us on this be silent!'"
Harsher criticism came from groups including such as Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, whose executive director, C.J. Doyle wrote, the day of the funeral:
No rational person can reasonably be expected to take seriously Catholic opposition to abortion when a champion of the Culture of Death, who repeatedly betrayed the Faith of his baptism, is lauded and extolled by priests and prelates in a Marian basilica. This morning's spectacle is evidence of the corruption which pervades the Catholic Church in the United States. The right to life will never be recognized by secular society if it is not first vindicated and consistently upheld within the institutions of the Church itself.
And the Rev. Brian Harrison, writing at LifeSiteNews.com, offered a similar critique:
For to those innumerable viewers and listeners of many religions (or none) who were aware of Sen. Kennedy's public, straightforward, radical, long-standing, and (as far as we know) unrepented defiance of his own Church's firm teaching about the duty of legislators to protect unborn human life and resist the militant homosexual agenda, this morning's Mass, concelebrated by several priests, presided over Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston, and adorned by a eulogy from the aforesaid U.S. President, effectively communicated a tacit but very clear message: the Church does not really take too seriously her own 'official' doctrines on these matters!
A few groups opposed the idea of granting Kennedy a Catholic funeral at all -- the president of the American Life League, Judie Brown, wrote Cardinal O'Malley before the funeral, saying, "If this funeral Mass proceeds as planned, Senator Edward Kennedy will have spit one more time on Christ, this time from a casket.'' The Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, president of Human Life International, wrote that, "To honor this 'catholic' champion of the culture of death with a Catholic funeral is unjust to those who have actually paid the price of fidelity."
O'Malley's blog post tonight is his first statement about the late Senator Kennedy since August 26, when the cardinal issued a brief statement about the senator's death:
Today we mourn the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy and we extend our heartfelt prayers and sincere condolences to his wife Victoria and their children, Kara, Edward, Patrick, Curran and Caroline. Senator Kennedy was blessed with a dedicated and loving family who stood by his side, particularly during the past year as he faced his illness with courage, dignity and strength.We join with his colleagues in Congress and the people of Massachusetts in reflecting on his life and his commitment to public service. For nearly half a century, Senator Kennedy was often a champion for the poor, the less fortunate and those seeking a better life. Across Massachusetts and the nation, his legacy will be carried on through the lives of those he served.
We pray for the repose of his soul and that his family finds comfort and consolation in this difficult time.
Two of the three other Massachusetts bishops also expressed condolences, without mentioning the abortion issue. The bishop of Worcester, Robert J. McManus, issued the following statement:
It is with great sadness tempered with Christian hope in eternal life that we turn to almighty God in prayer for our departed senator and brother, Edward M. Kennedy. His dedication to public service for nearly fifty years and his zealous advocacy for so many issues of social justice, which benefited not just our Commonwealth but the entire country, will truly be missed. Our hearts and prayers go out to the members of the Kennedy family at the death of a man who cared so much for them as loving father, brother, uncle, and friend. May God bring them his peace and consolation in this time of loss and grief. May Senator Kennedy's soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
And the bishop of Fall River, George W. Coleman, also issued a statement:
The Fall River Diocese mourns the loss of Senator Edward M. Kennedy who, throughout his life, enjoyed spending time on Cape Cod. We join with others across our state and nation in remembering him for his many years of service in the U.S. Senate, where he was a strong proponent of efforts to help the poor and disadvantaged. We offer our prayers for the repose of his soul and extend to his wife, children, and entire family our sympathy and prayerful condolences.
The bishop of Springfield, Timothy A. McDonell, did not issue a statement about Kennedy's death.
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Why I left the church!
He got an ANNULMENT!
He was for ABORTION!
He was a drunk and sleeze!
And the church kissed his butt!
The catholics hopes are on illegals now.
Sad, I thought O'Malley was different than Law. This shows that he is no better.
Money and fame talk and Catholic doctrine walks. Way to go Sean!
I have always found it odd that Catholics and Christians, in general, expend so much energy to fight abortion, when the Bible says very little about it They spend far less time and energy on the things that Jesus was really concerned with throughout the New Testament (Bingo, AKA gambling on church grounds for example).
I guess everyone is a hypocrite, especially those that are so quick to point the finger.
"One may defy Church teaching, publicly lead others astray, deprive innocent lives of their rights, and still be seen a good Catholic, even an exemplary one".
Exactly. Just as it should be. Go in peace, my son
I don't see how an organization that protected pedophiles for decades on a global basis and is still trying to withhold evidence even after pledging to be open about such matters can muster the moral authority to judge a man who helped so many. The church's ongoing efforts to deny U.S. citizens of all faiths basic civil is an equal disgrace.
I have not often agreed with Cardinal O'Malley, but his explanation as well as his attendance at the funeral Mass are surely the acts of a man of God. He showed humility, graciousness, firmness, generosity, kindness, mercy, leadership, reverence, and a far greater understanding of God than CJ Doyle, Elizabeth Scalia, or their ilk can even dream of.
Why does nobody mention the woman who drowned in his car in 1969?
Has that been forgotten?
As a Catholic I am ashamed of those who use select provisions of the Catholic faith as a sword to to justify discrimination against gays and lesbians and condemn a politician for doing what was he or she believed was right in the area of personal choices. I was taught that to be Catholic was about admitting one's failures/sins and asking for and receiving forgiveness through confession. These supposed Catholics are an embarrassment and sound like the "radical" ones. Senator Kennedy sounds like a reasonable mainstream American. He was not elected to pursue the outdated Catholic agenda. The Bishop was right when he wrote about the significant damage done by the reckless and radical statements of condemnation made by those who criticize Catholic politicians in such a public and harsh way. In case those supposed know it alls have not noticed, there are dozens if not hundreds of Catholic churches that have recently closed or about to be closed due to a serious decline. Why?
Poor Ted. Too bad he felt he needed this guy's approval.
Again The Kennedys can do no wrong. Moneyfixes everything. As a Catholic I am not happy and it just makes my faith less and less.
Did Cardinal O'Malley and Fr. Monan think pope Benedict was just joking when he said that there was no need to excommunicate Catholics who facilitate abortion, as they have already excommunicated themselves? Did they think Benedict had taken too much altar wine prior to that remark? Then what is their rationale for allowing a Catholic funeral service for a public apostate? The damage done to the Faith is incalculable. Are we any better than the Protestant sects where one makes one's own rules on faith and morals according to one's convenience? Catholicism was the last final bastion of absolute truth in morality, and we're now compromising that principle. Give me a reason to remain Catholic.
Give me a break. Help close some more churches with the ignorance of the lost followers. I want to regain my faith in God, but everytime I see these religious zealouts protesting based on Kennedy, abortion, or gay marriage stuff, I rather have breakfast and go for a walk on Sunday morning.
Keep it up and we will continue t read about more church closings.
Signed, a former alter boy
Why are conservatives so filled with hate?
There is no such thing in Mass as true catholic, but there is such thing as lliberal baby killers, who support terrorist rights but not the right to life. Hypocrits all around.
Many people don't understand that it is possible to hold the office of Catholic bishop while at the same time not holding the Catholic faith.
Cardinal O'Malley does not defend the Catholic faith and doctrine because he not a true Catholic. He is a modernist. Modernism is an hersey which destroys doctrine and had been continuously condemned by the Catholic Popes up until the Second Vatican Council. Since that council, it has gained dominance and spread throughout the church.
A Cathoilic bishop, out of charity, would not have allowed Sen. Kennedy a Catholic burial. True charity is wishing a good for another human being. The greatest good a Catholic can wish for another person is for that person to go to heaven.
I hope Sen. Kennedy repented before he died, but his letter to the Pope indicated that instead of repenting he was actually trying to justify his actions as a public official. In any case, there was no public apology.
By allowing a public Catholic funeral for such a publicly unrepentant sinner, Cardinal O'Malley does a great disservice to the Kennedy family and other catholics who may have been watching by conveying the modernist idea that "as long as you are following your own conscience", it doesn't matter if you commit what the Catholic church has taught is sin, or the even more pernicious moderist heresy that "everyone goes to heaven" Both these errors are condemned by the Catholic magisterium (teaching) yet both these errors were expressed at that funeral service.
Shame on Cardinal O'Malley.
To all you angry hateful self-righteous prideful folks out there, In the end God will judge him. In the meantime go find something or someone else to vent you righteous anger on. I think all of you forget; Pride is a SIN..
What part of "Love one another" do people not understand?
The Catholic Church is a morally bankrupt institution that needs our condemnation, not our approval. This miserable perversion of the Gospel:
(1) Promotes the spread of HIV/AIDS by condemning the use of condoms in underdeveloped nations;
(2) Condones rape by excommunicating its victims when they seek to terminate pregnancies resulting from rape, while saying not a word of condemnation against their rapists;
(3) demonizes gay people at every turn despite the many contributions and heroic sacrifices of gays throughout history;
(4) demeans and insults women by denying them roles in Church life other than that of nun, teacher, or mother, for reasons that cannot be defended or supported in the 21st century.
I want no part of such an institution and consider its persistent attempts to influence public policy in a SECULAR DEMOCRACY an abomination and a crime. Throw all of them out!
I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CARDINAL O'MALLEY. THE CARDINAL HAD A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A STATEMENT & UNFORTUNATELY
CHOSE NOT TO......SHAME, SHAME, SHAME.....
THE RICH CAN GET ANNULMENTS & CHAMPION GAY RIGHTS,
GAY MARRIAGE, GAY ADOPTION & ABORTION....
SHAME ON YOU CARDINAL O'MALLEY !!!
Oh, for crying out loud.
What a hateful, malicious, mean-spirited country we have become.
How sad, really.
Wow. I am no longer Catholic, but I am very impressed with Cardinal O'Malley. I hope that those who do not see eye to eye with the Church will recognize the strength of this man, and will similarly pray (in whatever fashion they so choose) for the Catholic Church. Similarly flawed and imperfect, but redemptive nonetheless.
It's always puzzled me when high ranking preists. bishops, arch bishops or even cardinals officiate at anyones funeral. Does that mean the deceased is held in higher esteem in God's eyes? The Jewish faith recognizes that in death we are all rendered equal. So Obama can carry a personal letter to the Pope but I still choose to believe that in Gods eyes we are all equal. Shame on the Catholic church for cow towing to money and priviledge!
I guess a lot of people skipped Sunday School and CCD on the days that forgiveness was taught.
There's nothing quite so evil as evil done under the pretense of 'religious' beliefs.
When it comes down to it, there's no difference between evil extremists of any 'religion', be they Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, "Born-agains", etc.
Before all the Opus Dei nuts get going here, think: Anger is one of the 7 Deadly Sins. Or did you forget that, in your zeal to punish others, when God's been pretty clear in the past that punishment is his job, not yours?
Hypocrites.
Let he without sin cast the first stone!
If you have a chance to read Kennedy's letter to the Pope please do so. What you will find is a flawed, conflicted, imperfect person-(just like the rest of us) in need of God's grace.
Cardinal O'Malley was proper in his decision to preside at the funeral; for our's is not to judge but to pray for God's mercy.
The morality of the Catholic Church isn't worth a damn. Every stand that they've taken is due to some political scheme. The Catholic Church had no problem with abortion until the early 1800's, when they cut a deal with Napoleon, who was running out of Frenchmen to fight his wars.
1. God knew you in the womb, therefore fetuses have equal rights to the born.
2. But God knew you in the grave, do the dead have equal rights to the born?
3. And God knew you at the beginning of creation, so do all human souls before creation and birth have equal rights to the born?
Maybe number 1 is not as logical as it first sounds.
This church seems to have lost it's way... I have no idea what it is anymore other than a bunch of C-list intellects all standing around in white robes, jibbering about "doctrine" and how it's a Catholic senator's responsibility to be providing government money to the poor and needy... Ever hear of "Give to Caeser the things that are Ceaser's" ???
Forceing taxpayers against their will to support programs that help illegal immigrants in America or provide babyfood to poor families is not the church's mission in life... The church's mission is to convince me that I should support the poor and needy using my own free will and out of my own pocket.. (which I already do)
If the Senator is not giving his own money to the poor but rather the taxpayers money, and if I'm not giving money to the poor but rather it's being confiscated out of my paycheck before I get it (against my will) then where is the "charity" in this transaction???
Who is God smiling down on? Certainly not the rich Senator who is living in Hyannis Port and certainly not me who is mad and angry that his money is being stolen and given to others against his will.
I think you'd better go back to Theology school Padre..
As a boy I always feared the priest and respected the majesty of his office in doing God's work.... Now I no longer fear (or respect) any priest in this so called "church"..
In your rush to stand with the sinners, you guys are losing your "base".
I think many of you that think the negative comments are from conservatives are missing the point. They are from every day people tired of being told by the catholic leaders one thing and watching them do another. Everyone is sad for the Kennedy family but don't really want to see the Catholic leadership tripping over each other to praise Ted while they chastise the rank and file.
Is this the same Sean who chastened Catholics for voting for pro-abortion politicians
catholic church - pediphile priests - children molested - priests transferred- more children molested- more priest transferred - priest get women pregnant- abortions paid for - children molested - Popes that condoned pediphile priests get same great fanfare send-off upon death...the difference is??????
Why is it that so many "Christians" don't know how to forgive?
To CLT - Conservatives aren't filled with hate - we're filled with shock.
"THE RICH CAN GET ANNULMENTS & CHAMPION GAY RIGHTS,
GAY MARRIAGE, GAY ADOPTION & ABORTION....
SHAME ON YOU CARDINAL O'MALLEY !!!" writes poster #20.
The church has pure and clean hands. They did not do things like sell slices of heaven (indulgences; you could buy various degrees of sin-cleansing services for various amounts). They did not try to kill everyone who did not think like they did. But yes, Thank God, they hate gays.
The Catholic church is no different from any other fanatical religion. How people who supposedly believe in a loving God can hate those with whom they have differences is beyond me. Their unbending devotion to strict dogma will be their undoing.
Please tell me why do churches get tax-free status? They aren't supposed to be political or dictate, sway or influence people's opinions of politicians. Yet they are constantly trying to tell people how to vote and condem political leaders for following THE LAW.
If they can't follow the rules, remove their tax-free status. You can't have it both ways.
Frankly, it's sad that the Cardinal nearly has to apologize for performing a Christian act. Funny, I don't recall Jesus saying, "Hey, this Lazarus is a sinner" and walking away. I'm no great Ted Kennedy fan, but the ultra-right wing conservative Catholics who are complaining about the Cardinal's role in Kennedy's funeral are this age's Pharisees.
To Jay, I add:
Condemns contraception and any mention of it to women, especially women in third world countries, equating contraception with abortion. Lack of contraception = unintended pregnancies = higher rate of abortion, maternal death, neonatal death, etc. Sadly, anti-abortion radicals can't do the math.
Leave the man alone! He is a holy, merciful man who did NOT want to be there. He was in total disagreement and disapproval of the fact that Kennedy was pro choice. The funeral Mass is a time to ask for forgiveness and mercy, which is what Cardinal Sean was praying for! He is not a person who would wish anything cruel to anyone no matter what sin they committed. That is NOT what the Catholic church does! They do not judge - God is the only one who can judge. If God can forgive a murderer if he asks for forgivness in ernest, then Cardinal Sean should not be trashed like this! I pray for all of you who have said such cruel things about him.
It disgusts me that intelligent Catholics let themselves be sucked into single issue politics. I believe that the works of this man exemplify many Catholic values, including civil rights, equal rights for women, workers rights. While you might disagree with him on a single, yet important, issue, you can not disregard the thousands of indisputable good acts he commit ed.
Catholics teach that no man is perfect, other than Jesus. Therefore you should not outcast someone you disagree with for being imperfect. And, wouldn't it be blasphemous to claim that you are perfect? So either you are committing blasphemy or you are directly opposing a teaching in John 8:7, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone".
So ask yourself, are you a forgiving Catholic who can look at all of a person's works? Are you willing to claim that you are perfect and cast that first stone?
Thank you Cardinal O'Malley. Shanti to all.
What a bunch of hypocrites! (Nothing has changed here.) The "cardinal", in fact, supports a religion that is based on paganism. (Do your homework!) Either Kennedy is ignorant and/or WAS playing along. Of course, he WAS a life-long politician with a checkered past. However, only TRUTH remains...on the other side. Go tell 'em, how ya hid the keys from those who were less fortunate than yourself...shame and a sin.
Its called separation of church and state..one should not let religious teachings govern those of other faiths. He should commended, for separating what may have been personal beliefs rooted in his personal religion from that of governing public policy.
These vindictive right wing commentators seem to have ignored the main message of Jesus to love ones neighbor as ones self. It is hard to recognize the Gospel message in any of these comments
May God have mercy on your souls - you who show no mercy!
For all any of you complainers know, Ted may have taken Last Rites.
If he did, it is an immutable and eternal doctrine of the Church that at the moment of his death his soul was as pure as the driven snow. And he would therefore be eligible for a Catholic funeral.
Don't like it? Get a different Church then, because the terms of the sacraments of the Catholic Church allow for forgiveness of ANY sin. Up to and including murder and mass murder.
We are all imperfect. I would hope that we demand perfection, but are not surprised to realize imperfection of men who lead, and follow, the teachings of our Church. Pray for all souls involved in the Kennedy legacy... imperfect as it was.
Cardinal O'Malley,
You did the right thing and it was one of the most touching, Catholic funeral masses I have seen. I appreciate your response to the criticism/opposition you received. None of us are perfect and we should all be so thankful that our's is a forgiving Church. Thank you for all you did for the Kennedy family and for representing both the city of Boston and the Catholic Church with such grace.
LK
Unfortunately, the Church's myopic, one-dimensional pro-life advocacy does not extend to the issues of war, capital punishment or nuclear weapons.
If the Vatican can develop and approve a just theory of war, can it not create a similar theory that applies to abortion, divorce, pre-martial sex and homosexuality?
This hypocrisy is one of the reasons I am no longer active in the Catholic faith.
I think it is really sad that people would even go there that a priest can't even do his job take care of his flock no matter what Ted Kennedy is one of gods children. Unlike the Bush and Cheney family. See they would be up in arms over there Republican President ,or Vic President if a priest would reject there services. I am just saying Priest shouldn't Judge, and leave it up to god to do his job not Humans that always seem to do wrong all the time in the name of God.
It is not up to you to tell the church who is invited to God's table. It is up to you to hope that you are invited. If you see anyone else at that table, and you can't understand how a person like that could get invited, you are pushing yourself away from the table.
How can you sit and eat with tax collectors instead of the faithful?
Why do you spend time with whores and sinners, instead of the believers?
It is not up to you to even ask, only to pray that you are invited.
Kennedy's ghost should be expressing outrage that his funeral was presided over by a religion that professed love for the unborn while sanctioning child molestation in the sanctimonious name of compassion, and to this day expresses only the most begrudging and miserly forms of regret . Why anyone looks to these proven delusional hypocrities for wisdom is stunning, and to split hairs over whether a cardinal should preside over the funeral of a Kennedy just underlines the insanity of everyone involved. It is not a substantial discussion. It is the last screams of a dying dinosaur.
O'Malley should have just stayed home! Why did he bother showing up if he was going to take God's place and judge a man who has done more for the young, the old, the sick and people in need than ANY Catholic church, priest, or Cardinal has ever done! He also insulted the vice president of the United States. Who "in God's name" does he think he is?????
I never saw so much hate. Ain't religion great? A former Catholic
IM A SINNER IM GOING TO HELL I SIN 20 TIMES EVERY DAY!!!!!!!!!
SAVVVVVE MY SOUL!
How about "I participated in Ted Kennedy's funeral, my agenda isn't the same as his, but I can deal with that for one day. If you can't, calm down and shut up. There's a new season of American Idol starting very soon."
That would have been much shorter.
"At times, even in the Church, zeal can lead people to issue harsh judgments and impute the worst motives to one another. These attitudes and practices do irreparable damage to the communion of the Church. If any cause is motivated by judgment, anger or vindictiveness, it will be doomed to marginalization and failure."
We see this daily, if not hourly with the current partisanship and the "death to liberals vs. wingnuts"
"Jesus’ words to us were that we must love one another as He loves us. Jesus loves us while we are still in sin. He loves each of us first, and He loves us to the end."
This is the Catholicism and Jesus I was taught. Jesus loves us in sin. We only have to say we are sorry and we are forgiven. Apparently most of you are motivated by the aforementioned anger and vindictiveness the Cardinal spoke of and require a quart of blood or years of flagellation. I wonder how many of you are even Catholic and are just trolling this blog because the front page linked it.
Our ability to change people’s hearts and help them to grasp the dignity of each and every life, from the first moment of conception to the last moment of natural death, is directly related to our ability to increase love and unity in the Church, for our proclamation of the Truth is hindered when we are divided and fighting with each other.
I have so much respect for the Cardinal with this statement. I am a "lapsed" Catholic. I, like Kennedy want the right to choose. I support Gay rights. (Because the Jesus I was taught would choose to love all people.) But there is no way to unite when all we do is judge, and fight.
All of you spitting out this negativity, this pious reverence for Mary Jo's memory... do you think you are doing this family a favor? Do you have their permission to condemn Kennedy? Do you know their business? Perhaps YOU wound THEM by perpetuating this. Why on Earth do you feel the need to carry this cross for them? Who made you the champion of Mary Jo? Did you know her? Or is she just the poster child for your political idealism? Are you using her tragedy for your neo-conservative agenda? You make me sick. At least be honest and just admit you irrationally hate and resent the man because of his position in life.
Your worst crime might be not admitting you got the wrong change and pocketed the money, or cheating on your taxes, but ask yourself: What have you done for your country or your fellow man. Oh, I know! !!! Spit on them because God forbid your precious tax money pay for someone else's health care.
This bitterness, this hate for Kennedy, for liberals, for Obama... Does it do you any good? Do you feel better about yourself? Let me let you in on a secret. It feels much better to forgive. It feels much better to appreciate the things you have, instead of blaming scapegoats for why you can't succeed. It helps YOU become a better person to put yourself in someone else's shoes. It's what Jesus did.
So before you go spouting some self-righteous BS or judge someone else's failings understand this,
Jesus still loves you.
The same jerks that supported the molestering priests? Yeah, go figure.
"The greatest marketing firm in the history of earth" Religion. Everyone buys it - easy sell.
Everybody likes sex. Nobody likes abortion. And its damnation of practical birth control makes the Church responsible for all of them.
Wow - there are a lot of pretend Catholics posting here to complain about the fact Cardinal O'Malley acted precisely as a man of God would in participating in Senator Kennedy's funeral. And how about the lunatic who said that Cardinal O'Malley should have used the funeral to make a "statement"? No sense of that thing called mercy or forgivness or even God's love - it never ceases to amaze as to how the wingers distort basic Catholic doctrine so that it is not longer recognizable.
14: Why are conservatives so filled with hate?
Could you be more specific please? What is your evidence? I am conservative and I don't think I hate anyone. You may disagree with my politics but assigning hate to it is simply applying intolerance to those who don't see things your way.
It is late and, frankly, I don't have the time to check the figures, but I believe about 1.5 million fetuses are aborted a year. At the same time, about 1 million fetuses spontaneiously abort each year through miscarriage. If God is so interested in abortion, as the Catholics say, maybe He should do something about the ones he has direct control over...the miscarriages. Absent that, my feeling is there is no God, at least there is no God who is all that interested in whether or not human fetuses make it to birth. I commend Kennedy for bucking his religion and standing with women. The ultimate decision rests with women. And that's a fundamental Civil Right. And Kennedy was a man who stood for Civil Rights.
How often many forget that we, human kind... ALL OF US, were created in God's image. That means that our faults are God's faults, our failings are God's failings and our accomplishments are God's accomplishments. God is an omnipotent being, one that knows and understands more than we ever will. Kennedy championed for millions of people who did not have a voice themselves, his life should be celebrated by all who benefited from his work. Oh, please also don't forget one of the central tenents of United States politics: A SEPARATION BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE!!!
are we really arguing over this - i see such heated debate - it reminds me of the pharisees - lest we forget the forgiveness Jesus teachers? I cannot believe the comments on this board - everyone needs to relax and realize that abortion is not the main theme of catholicism like these hardcore religious right would have you believe - this is clearly why i am disenfrancised by my catholic faith - full of people who think they are better tha the rest when jesus himself would disagree. it boggles my mind that people have become so zealous - what are we back at the year zero? WAKE UP PEOPLE!
The story of Teddy’s first marriage of how he charmed the Catholic church in getting his first marriage annulled after having grown children and then getting remarried as if his second marriage was in the state of Grace, in the "eyes of the Catholic Church; which by the way is the same Archdiocese in Boston where the Bishop hid Pedophiles rogue Priest for years, as the story goes in the Bible, infiltration of the evil to destroy the church.
The Kennedy's truly are the UGLY AMERICAN'S . . . What Greed, Influence and money can corrupt the contemptuous . . . and then flaunt it in the face of real Americans’ and those that continually voted then into public office . . . No wonder this country is as it is . . . Liberal in their life style to be like a Kennedy . . .
So all the work that the Kennedy family has done for the poor, sick, mentally or physically impaired are not Catholic teachings? Correct me if i am wrong but is that not what Jesus did? Does that make Jesus not a Catholic or Christian?
The only two things he was against that the Catholic Church on is being pro choice and pro marriage for all. So he was for a woman to make her own choice for her own body and her own morals, oh how horrible. He was for a woman to choose, he hated abortion, but he was more of a conservative in that he let a citizen choose, not the government.
On marriage for all he was for letting homosexuals have the same rights and benefits as any other citizen of this country. While that goes against Catholic Dogma and is right in line with our Constitution. Only in that one regard is he against his faith. Kennedy was more of a conservative in regards to getting government out of our personal lives than almost all neo-conservatives of today.
The haters, zealots and the American Talabin like religious fanatic of this country would only make it so only Christian Dogma rules us. They want this great nation of LAWS to be a nation ruled by only their religion. I long ago left the Catholic faith because of this and the total hypocrisy of organized religion. The only reason I bash these kinds of fools is because they choose force their views of right and wrong down our countries throats with such venomous fury and disdain for any civil discourse even though they themselves do not practice what they preach.
In the words of the GREAT CHRISTIAN martyr Archbishop Cranmer: "And as for the Pope, I refuse him, as Christ's enemy and antichrist, with all his false doctrine"
I AM CATHOLIC AND PROUD OF IT. I ATTEND CHURCH EVERY WEEKEND AND AM PRO-LIFE, ETC. THAT SAID, I AM ASHAMED AT ALL YOU RADICAL, JUDGEMENTAL, and ANGRY ZEALOTS!!! As my parish priest in said this past Sunday, no human, priest or person should judge someone by their external actions. God judges what is in a person's heart. God forgives. God loves both saints and sinners. O'Malley did nothing wrong and had no reason to even explain. All of you have no right to judge anyone but yourself. You Zealots are the problem with the Catholic Church. God forgives and judges, not you. I never voted for Ted, but I still respect him and his family. God bless him and GOD bless all of you.
And for the rest of you NON-Catholics who just want to beat us up when you know nothing about the Faith, only what you read in the newspapers, God bless you too.
I tried to post responses as a Protestant, but my words were censored by the Globe
The first two commandments that god has given us address that which we are most lacking: love. We are commanded to love. History is replete with mortal condemnation. But who of us can judge another? In spite of my (personal) failings, I feel prepared to face my maker, as actions redeem a flawed humanity, and our personal victories, small though they may appear, are emblematic of true love and faith in our creator. I view those who castigate in the name of God to be the most fearsome. They endeavor to illuminate their own stature, by annihilating the souls of others. In the process, they may be exhibiting the greatest travesty of all -- banishing true love from the living church. God pray for us all... even those who wave and wink.
Ted is burning in hell. This guy was no good. And if he asked for forgiveness on his deathbed was he really sincere? God will know. If he was sincere well then he lied to all you when he supported every immoral bill to go through congress. And if he was sincere he burning in hell with all the immorals he supported.
nothing about this man holds true. from getting kicked out of harvard for cheating, to serving in paris during korea, to leaving that poor girl in the water all night, i wouldn't leave a dog in submerged car overnight, to every speech that was written for him and probably never working a full day his whole life, what the heck is all of this praise for. WHAT A COUNTRY!
O'Malley is such a hypocrite! He feels the need to defend his presence at Kennedy's funeral while the archdiocese has taken donations from the Kennedys for decades! I wonder if there is a tally of all the money the Kennedy family has donated over the years? I would be interested to know the amount.
Nothing about the faith?? I know that idolatry has nothing to do with being a Christian!! All true Christians are Priests unto GOD!, not a Pope of Rome,
I am sorry for him that he had to defend his actions. When Cardinal Sean was first coming to Boston and I read his bio I was quite pleased that a true man of cloth was coming to our fair city. Then the hate mongering started with the marriage on the tails of sweeping under the rug the child sex abuse scandal. I was scared and ashamed to be a Roman Catholic. Cardinal Sean showed me this past Saturday a side I welcomed with open arms and dare I say restored my faith.
C J Doyle? (Can we say: "More Chins than the Beijing White Pages? Yes, we can!.) C J is a viscious homo-hater of longstanding. Check out his web-site: Catholic Action League of Massachusetts. He is disrespectful of Cardinal O'Malley's presence at Kennedy's funeral.
Wake up people . . .correct! Put your Catholic faith in GOD. Make yourself a light in a dark world. The Church will reform, ONLY when it's 1.1 billion members can begin do this!
Cheers!
Having faith in God is important and wonderful, but organized churches are all about the money. I believe the Archbishop just wanted to hang with the celebs at the show and could not care less about TK's salvation. And why is the Globe so enamoured with Jack Nic's attendence?
I have very mixed feelings on this subject. I am a Roman Catholic and a scientist. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that life begins at conception. Teddy did a lot of good. I do not agree with much of his philosophy but he had a plan and stuck to it. On the topic of abortion, when it is used as birth control, it is just murder. When it is medically necessary, that is a personal choice and the right and wrong of it is between that person and the Almighty. Personally, I could not do it but that is me and I have no idea what the Almighty thinks on that topic. Eternity is a long time so I would side with caution. The Roman Catholic Church has an agenda. Ted Kennedy had an agenda. I think Teddy did a much better job of sticking to his agenda than the Church did. When this all gets played out in the afterlife, I want a front row seat. I am certain it will be interesting.
To RM
The poster CLT Stands for Hate, does paint with a rather broad brush in using the word "conservatives" Not fair, I'll agree. But I pray you don't miss the point. Conservatives are mostly rational people willing to debate and listen to the other side IMO.
The "haters" out here tend to be from the far right and are incessant posters. Some accuse them of being plants from far right wing or religious organizations etc.
These are the ones being referred to. I'm sure you recognize their posts when you read them.
The ones that can take just about any kind of news story and manipulate it in such a way as to tie it directly to Democrat policies. They seem to subsist on a daily diet of Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, Anne Coulter, Glen Beck and now Sarah Palin is jumping into the mix.
She, (Sarah Palin) is looking at 900+ speaking engagements on the table and sees nothing but dollar bills. It won't take long for her to insert both feet into her mouth. Thankfully she's not leadership material and sadly I can only think of one thing when I see her image anywhere and that is the vulgar acronym that has somehow leaked into our daily lexicon and that is MILF.
I have reead all the comments and am not surprised ar the differences and emotion revealed. Comments by former catholics are irrelevant. They are not members of my club. I have watcher Ted Kennedy over a life time. His public life was not an inspiration I submit tht we must treat his public imsage apart from what his end of life was. He was a bad example of what a catholic' s public life should be.He did not merit acclaim by the church on his death. Death bed conversion or repentance is another issue. A quiet simple burial service would have been appropriate. A mass featuring a non-catholic president was hardly a "simple service:..
I am confused by the writings of many. I am an Irish Catholic, like Senator Kennedy. I do not agree with abortion, except in the cases of incest, rape and the mother's life is in danger. I have studied the Catholic religion for a long time. Although I am appalled at some of the history of the Church, especially from the year 1000 AD to appx 1600 AD, where some Popes were no better than some tyrants or dictators seen in recent times, I will not leave the Catholic faith.
I voted for Senator Obama. I weighed the choices. Am I for Bush, who is for War in Iraq, where many innocent lives on both sides have been lost or am I for Obama (consequently, Ted Kennedy) and for abortion. I chose th latter, because I felt the chances of losing precious innocent lives in an escalating war would lead to far greater numbers than abortion does. ANd we are not counting the eternally disabled and injured who survive. Why is this argument never made. We re the most violent "civilized" country in the world. More people are murdered in this country from guns, every year and a half, than died in the entire Vietnam War.
When I judge a person, if I even have that right, I look at the whole picture. Unfortunately, in American politics, if we are to make any progress and maintain any power, we have to be either Republican or Democrat. I don't know anyone who agrees with the entire platform of both parties. But, to make positive change, you have to agree to some things you don't believe in, or you are ostracized, and your voice is never heard. This is reality.
I applaud the life of Senator Kennedy. He helped millions of people and until the rest of the hypocrites who are perfect and can save all lives, not just the aborted ones, then let you cast the first stone! This is an imperfect world, and despite Senator Kennedy's failings, his life was anything but ordinary. I don't know of but a few people who could have walked in his shoes and kept his sanity, never mind helping the many who are indigent and ostracized by society. I just wish I had the courage he possessed.
In an ideal world, all of you who criticize him would be right. But, the last time I checked, this is so far from a perfect world that I question what positive impact have you made to make it a better place!!!!!
"Why I left the church!
He got an ANNULMENT!
He was for ABORTION!
He was a drunk and sleeze!
And the church kissed his butt!
The catholics hopes are on illegals now."
JP, based on the tone and content of your comment, I think I speak for all catholics when I say good bye and don't come back. :-)
i was born, raised and married in the Church. I left because of all the hypocrisy i saw. Many, many, many years later (60 to be exact), this past December I returned to my spiritual home and received confession. I felt wonderful. But now I see a man given such love, adoration, praise, such honor as to have a cardinal preside over his funeral. Who was this man to be so exemplified? A rich, drunk, playboy, coward who left a young girl to slowly drown while he showered, sobered up and gathered his well-paid flunkeys around to figure out how to save his political career. Oh, yes. And 8 hours later to inform the police about the car in the water. Later he dirtied his marriage vows, making bastards of his children and was the strongest voice for the slaughter of the innocents since the days of pharoah and herod. How many millions is he responsible for? Didn't Pope John Paul The Great and Mother Teresa condemn baby killing as the greatest sin of our age? Well, we can assume he made an honest last confession and can be buried in a Catholic ceremony. Almighty God will deal with him in HIS own way. But for the Church to hold him up to be a GOOD christian?? I felt sick. I am spiritually homeless again. All that fuss over all that KENNEDY MONEY AND POWER. Will Jesus Christ put ted kennedy's soul on one side of the scale and on the other side put the millions of babies who were the wrong sex or came at an "inconvenient" time? Rape, incest, mother's life in danger ,grossly deformed fetus incompatible with life?? Yes, they can be struggled over. But 9 month partial-birth abortion on demand was always on his table.
Many above condemn Ted because he was part of a drunken playboy life style that left debris in its wake. Go ahead, condemn the sins, but not the sinner. There is no way you can avoid the fact that Jesus and 2,000 of his religious traditions celebrate foregivess and redemption. Since his second marriage (yes, the Catholic church does allow annulments), he has been much more of a moral citizen. Praise God for her.
In matters of legislative differences, even serious ones about abortion, what is there to complain about Cardinal Sean's approach? We will be more successful in promoting a culture of life by love than vitriol. The Cardinal consistenly followed Canon Law and liturgical law about the funeral and his role. As far as I am concerned, some of the haters are painting themselves outside the church of the good shepherd. Pity their spouses, chikdren, and household pets. Such anger hurts only the angry and those who share the house.
Abortion Abortion Abortion! Is that all the American Catholic Church can think about.
Ted kennedy fought for the poor, and causes of social justice. I f you wish to put an end to abortion fight poverty, fight for national health, fight for good schools, decent housing etc.
If the consequences of having a child are no healthcare and poverty you will have abortions. There is no real choice without social justice.
Fiscal conservatives deep down love abortions the are the CHEAP AND
EASY answer
Here we go... the very definition of irony...
JFK almost didn't get elected President because people were afraid he would take his marching orders from the Pope.
Here, his younger brother is being derided because he did not let the Vatican determine his policy decisions.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-1963)United States Flag
The 35th President of the United States (1961-1963)
John F. Kennedy - Whatever one's religion in his private life may be, for the officeholder, nothing takes precedence over his oath to uphold the Constitution and all its parts -- including the First Amendment and the strict separation of church and state.
-- John F Kennedy, Interview, Look, March 3, 1959, from Albert J Menendez and Edd Doerr, The Great Quotations on Religious Freedom
If my church attempted to influence me in a way which was improper or which affected adversely my responsibilities as a public servant sworn to uphold the Constitution, then I would reply to them that this was an improper action on their part. It was one to which I could not subscribe.
-- John F Kennedy, press conference, Houston, Texas, September 12, 1960, from Albert J Menendez and Edd Doerr, The Great Quotations on Religious Freedom
We do not want an official state church. If ninety-nine percent of the population were Catholics, I would still be opposed to it. I do not want civil power combined with religious power. I want to make it clear that I am committed as a matter of deep personal conviction to separation.
-- John F Kennedy, Interview, CBS-TV, "Face the Nation," October 30, 1960, from Albert J Menendez and Edd Doerr, The Great Quotations on Religious Freedom
I do not speak for my church on public matters; and the church does not speak for me.
-- John F Kennedy, address to the Ministerial Association of Greater Houston, September 12, 1960, quoted from, “The Catholic Conundrum,” Time Magazine, (July 2, 2007) page 59
The one positive I can take from these postings is that it gets folks motivated to be active and involved. I am saddened at the tone on both sides. When one assumes they know the truth, why listen to the other?
So where did we learn to be so certain that we are correct and the other wrong? This is what happens when belief is equated with truth. Faith enters in life where by definition we do not know yet we believe.
So is the faith so weak that we must have the other share my belief in order for me to be secure in what I believe?
These are questions. Most of the folks here seem to have all the answers.
Another example of why people have left the Roman Catholic religion, including me...
If the Kennedy's didn't have money you can bet you would never have seen the Archbishop in attendance.
Another black eye for this religion who hid child molesters, and when brought to the attention all the church did was to have the priests prey on another community and it's children.
I am sick of the... Do as I say not what I do philosophy of the church
We all need different ways to cope with this journey called life. In the end, who really knows? Do what you need to do to make it to the end of life and leave the rest of us alone. I am tired of religion, all religion, keep your beliefs and feelings between you and God and good luck at the end. Man made
religion is ruining the quality of life on this earth. I imagine God to be ashamed of all.
Those who, intoxicated with anger and judgment, criticize the Archbishop for his decision to preside over Kennedy's funeral, are simply insufficiently converted Christians.
It is disturbing that several supposed Catholics commented here that this is causing them to lose faith and leave the Church. Pardon me if I sound blunt in my assessment, but your faith was weak to begin with and this is just an excuse to leave.
It doesn't matter whether or not you agree with Ted Kennedy or the actions of Cardinal Sean or even Pope Benedict for that matter. Your faith should not be based on men but should be in God and Christ. Your faith should be in God's mercy and forgiveness and His grace through the Sacraments. The Cardinals and Bishops and Priests are just men. They will make mistakes just like the rest of us. They are only human. If your faith is so shaken by thier mistakes, then your faith is misplaced.
I was not a supporter of Senator Kennedy and I did not agree with Cardinal Sean on the funeral mass either. I agree that it may have given the wrong perception on the Church stance on issues such as abortion. However, my opinion is just that, an opinion, and I am not perfect. Neither is Cardinal Sean. Just because I do not agree with him, doesn't mean I should just abandon my faith. I was born and Catholic and will die a Catholic. My faith is not in mortal men who are as imperfect as I am, but in God and Christ as revealed to us through 2000 years of Church doctrine and tradition.
I, too, left the church for the same reasons many of you have cited. Teddy was married IN THE CHURCH, divorced (oh excuse me, "annulled"--read "paid big bucks to the church") and REMARRIED. He gets a funeral Mass which others, in the exact same circumstances, cannot. He supports legalized abortion, which is supposed anathema to followers of Roman Catholicism. He gets a funeral Mass. He is buried in Arlington, the Veteran of the Military that Teddy was. Face it, folks, as I did years ago after the appalling sex scandals and massive arrogance and cover-up of the Vatican...you CANNOT be both an American and a Roman Catholic--the one glorifies freedom and speaking out, the other secrecy and absolute devotion and subservience to the Pope. The hypocrisy of the Church regarding Teddy Kennedy is STAGGERING. I think "someone" once said you cannot serve two masters..
Sandra, at 93...
Please note my quotes from his brother regarding the duties of a politician in this country... first to the Constitution... That is the oath one swears on taking office. He supported social justice first and foremost. How many people do you think have similar beliefs to Kennedy and get funerals every year in the RCC? I would say hundreds... and that is just in MA.
Kennedy also did spend 2 years in the military, though undistinguished. Unlike others, though, at least he showed up.
Though it was a blip, he was a member of the military, with an honorable discharge. He is also eligible for burial in Arlington for his Senatorial position, if I am reading the source material right.
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/funeral_information/guide.interment.html
One may not be able to serve two masters, but JFK laid out the priorities very clearly for an elected official.
http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/quotes/jfk.htm
Senator Kennedy had a great heart, a compassionate soul. a sad sad life. The losses he endured created the amazingly humane platform he advanced fr those Americans who have little enough representation. My question: A quite serious one yo ponder. Because of his caring advocacy, how many abortions did he prevent> My personal take on it --- MANY, MANY, MANY. Sainthood often comes through the good we have been able to advance. In my book, Ted Kennedy was/is a saint.
So many people who wrote are exCatholics. I hope they all come back. The Catholic Church is filled with Saints and Sinners but it is the Church founded by Jesus Christ . Go to mass and then you will realize the Beauty of this Church.
I am assuming that the late Senator was given the Last Rites of the Church which, IIRC, includes a confession and absolution of sins by the priest. Therefore the Senator was entitled to a funeral Mass according to the rites of Holy Mother Church, no matter how scandalous his behavior was in life.
However, where is soul is right now is a matter known only to God. I fully expect his soul to spend a long time in Purgatory atoning for his sins (as will I).
Cardinal O' Malley did not have to defend his actions. Jesus Christ didn't come to earth for the self-righteous. Jesus came for the sinners (like all of us - to save especially the penitent). Not to those who 'can see' but to those who "can not see". And only God has the authority to judge.
Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley clearly demonstrated what it means to be a real christian. A true follower of Jesus Christ. And just like in the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) who the people hated so much, yet Jesus dined with him. Zacchaeus repented and followed Jesus. Sadly, the same hypocrites today criticize Father O' Malley, as though they're the only ones who deserve the Kingdom of God. A great example is when Pope John Paul II met with his would-be assassin in prison and forgave him. The would-be assasin shot and seriously wounded John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981. In May of this year he now claims he would like to convert to Christianity after his release from prison & wants to be baptized in a ceremony at the Vatican. The greatest example of course of being "un-christian" is that of the conversion of Saint Paul who brutalized and persecuted Christians until God called him and revealed Jesus in him. Indeed, it's difficult to be a real Christian. A true follower of Jesus Christ. Perhaps a true muslim gets to enter the Kingdom of God ahead of a self-righteous christian. One thing for certain, religion is not the ticket.
Ted Kennedy supported what his constituents wanted him to support. He was not voted into office for 47 years to vote his catholic beliefs. I have no idea what his personal view is, and for that matter, no one does. We know that he fought for what his constituents wanted. That is the secret to getting re-elected. Do what the people who voted you in expect from you, not what you want or need politically.
And you do remember that constitutional requirement of our founding fathers....separate church and state. If the church wants to start getting into th epolitical arena, then they should start paying taxes.
It is in LIFE that we are FORGIVEN, It is in DEATH that we are JUDGED.
Joan,
I am an ex-Catholic and will never come back.
I could still recite masses and will never come back.
i put my complete faith and trust in the RCC and was rewarded for it.
I was molested by a priest who should not have been in service.
There is no forgiveness for what this despicable institution has done to my life, my family, my mind. There is nothing of value for me to find in it. If it shut down and went out of business tomorrow, it would not be soon enough.
I cannot understand how people support it, the institution, the hypocrisy, the control, all based on a mythos which is more discredited every day, by the light of knowledge and by it's own inner contradictions. But, indoctrinated from birth into believing the outrageous and the incredible and the impossible... I know how painful losing those can be, but at this point wouldn't trade it for being a sheep.
I did not always approve of what he stood for and the way he lived his life, but I am not a judge and jury of anybody's life but my own. I believe in a loving and merciful God, thanks to my own Father, and He, in the end will be the only judge. Senator Kennedy did a lot of good things, and had a very tragic life. I am proud of our Church for practicing what Jesus taught us in the Prodigal Son and the Lost Sheep.
When I hear these denouncements from the very people who are suppose to embody Jesus' life on earth, it makes sense that we have lost so many of our sons and daughters, to a different way.
Prayerfully and Sincerely,
If O'Malley had differently decided not to attend or to speak during the funeral about Kennedy's failings, some of you would have criticized that as mean and uncharitable. No winning for Cardinal Sean with some of you.
In nearly 100 comments, NO ONE mentioned how this deeply flawed man lost MANY family members due to tragedy, had to essentially father an extra 13 children and all the burdens of that?
ANY Catholic justly deserves a Catholic funeral. What some of us object to is not so much O'Malley being there as the Kennedy family's flagrant and self-serving politicization of the ceremony. Did any of you actually WATCH the funeral? The responsorial psalm carefully chosen to highlight Ted's social justice credentials? And the Prayers of the Faithful taken from PHRASES IN HIS SPEECHES delivered purposely by his GRAND CHILDREN?
If only O'Malley could have tempered all that self-aggrandizing by the family and had more influence on how the funeral was celebrated. What he did still was charitable and should be commended.
You guys are right: can't JUDGE the man and his soul. But guess what? You can't CANONIZE HIM during the funeral EITHER. They're BOTH WRONG.
Most critics aren't talking about judging Kennedy's SOUL but his PUBLIC EXAMPLE--and then being lionized by every media outlet. Kennedy didn't just "disagree" with his Faith on abortion. He ACTIVELY moved abortion in THE OTHER direction, with immense influence on his party and the fate of the unborn.
This is all while profiting from being a Catholic for DECADES by identifying with his majority Catholic voters in this state. The family continued that tradition at the funeral. That's what some of us found disturbing about Saturday.
I do not presume to judge Ted Kennedy.
The question is where is the hierarchy? Look at the entire Massachusetts delegation in Congress; Kennedy, Kerry, Lynch, Markey, Delahunt etc good catholics all and all supporters of abortion. And let's not forget Vice President Biden and Speaker Pelosi.
Obviously the hierarchy does not care. Pray, pay and obey.
Can't wait for the second coming. Should be a heavy chariot with all the perfect Catholic aboard.
Just something to think about? If Kennedy had supported STRONGLY legislation which allowed 1 month old, 1 year old babies to be killed would people feel the same? Abortion to many including many who don't associate with a specific religion is the same as terminating a life outside the womb. As I'm sure you all know the majority of abortions are done after two months (go on line and look at a two month pre born child) and the procedure involves sucking or ripping the unborn child out limb from limb. The head, arms, legs, torso are then tossed in a medical waste bucket along with waste from procedures such as liposuction. That's right unlike what many try to get people to believe, the unborn child doesn't just disappear like magic. It's OK for you to disagree but you should also be able to understand why we find this act horrific and morally wrong and why Catholics would struggle with a politician that supports it.
Kennedy deserved a funeral but remember when he was Confirmed and every time he received Jesus and siad AMEN, he was stating in front of God an the congregation that he accepted all that the Church taught. To many of us his support of abortion is equal to him saying it's OK for people to have extra marital affairs, have the choice to have slaves, or choose to kill their born children.
We are not the judge of Kennedy and we pray he goes to heaven and he should have had his Catholic funeral. My prayer was that during the Sacrament of the anointing of the sick not only did he ask for forgiveness for his abortion stand but he would have it publically stated he was wrong about his stance. The Priest performing the anointing of the sick had a responsibility to bring his stand on abortion up. Although the intent of the funeral Mass is to pray fro the repose of the deceased’s soul if any good Kennedy did was brought up then his glaring stand against a major church teaching should have been as well.
Peace and Blessings
Unfortunately, Cardinal O'Malley is very selective about the comments he allows his censors to approve. Here is my comment which did not appear on his blog:
Dear Cardinal O'Malley,
Día 's Muire dhuit agus Pádraig!
Thank you for the explanation of your very charitable act in presiding over Senator Kennedy's funeral.
I would note however that your absence from the obsequies would have caused far more scandal than your presence. You are to be commended for choosing the Aristotelian mean between active participation and an outright snub. Given the cachet of the Kennedy name in this state, yours was an eminently wise judgement.
Your declining to celebrate the funeral mass was in stark contrast to Cardinal Cushing's celebration of President Kennedy's funeral. It was in its eloqent silence a stunning rebuff and a fitting one given the Senator's flouting of the Magisterium in his public life.
But if there is cause for scandal here, it is not so much Kennedy's stand on the crucial moral issues of abortion, the "marriage" of homoerotics, IVF and ESTR, nor even his frail human episodes of dissolution and profligacy, nor yet his cowardice the aftermath of the manslaughter of Mary Jo Kopechne. For the blemish of cowardice can be masked by subsequent acts of courage; the life of a rake and sot can be redeemed as the lives of Augustine and Jerome testify; the public positions of a politician can be understood as deriving less from his own mind and heart than from the will to please the common herd and assure his electoral longevity. And your Eminence knows well that to insist too sternly upon magisterial compliance by Catholic politicians would end in either their bolting from the Church or their dismissal at the polls by an angry electorate. Having gained entrance to Caesar's court, Catholics will now not be forced out, even if it means dancing to Caesar's flautist.
No, the greater scandal here is the more personal matter of the ambiguity of the Senator's marriage to Victoria. Marriage has from ancient times by design been a public act; yet we have only Kennedy's PR assurance that his marriage to Joan was annuled and that his subsequent civil marriage was "blessed" by the Church. And with no confirmation from the Archdiocese, the faithful have a right to be alarmed and offended at this public scandal.
The reason for reluctance on the part of the Archdiocese is not hard to discern. The Senator's nephew divorced his wife, and married his secretary before pen had even been set to the local decree of annulment. This scandal was only later and with great procrastination remedied and reversed by the Roman Rota and then only when Sheila Rauch courageously pursued the ends of justice and exposed the hypocrisy of the concept and process of "annulments."
And yet these Kennedys are very ostentatious in their public reception of the Eucharist, a sacrament denied to many "ordinary" Catholics who have been caught up in the dislocation of divorce and remarriage. This duplicity is greatly to be condemned.
It is impossible then to escape the conclusion that the Church has one law for the high-born and another for the low. This is a glaring and persistent scandal which can evidently only be redressed when high and low, prelate and presbyter, stand finally before the awful tribunal of the God of Justice.
Go mbeannuigh Dia duit,
Roland de Chanson
Cardinal O'Malley:
You like so many others have betrayed the Church in the cause of being politicallly correct and pastorally sensitive. One shouldn't be surprised that the Church of Boston like many others in the USA are dying on the vine. Judas sold his soul for 30 pieces. You likewise are doing the same today in the 21st Century -- for much less!
I certainly was no big fan of Ted Kennedy but to Father Tom Euteneuer, who one would think should know better,Judge not lest you be judged. Also, He who is without sin cast the first stone. Unless I missed something along the way, I didn,t realize that the Church had changed the rules and does not allow catholics who are pro-choice to be given a catholic funeral. For the record, I am a strong supporter of the pro-life cause, but as a catholic first and foremost I do not believe it to be my right to stand in judgement of Senator Kennedy or any other human being. The right to judge is that of the Lord.He earned that right by dying for mankind and I know in my heart that He will forgive you all who judged
even though it was not your right to do so. Great christians you are.More
like a bunch of sanctimonious hypocrites!
p2bc, good to see you back... it's been awhile.
Every time he said "Amen," he was acknowledging the RCC, etc... that does not mean he agreed with everything it says and teaches... For instance, until about 1990 the RCC claimed that the earth was flat...
As I pointed out somewhere recently, Last Rights, etc... it isn't a quiz to fill out a checklist ... Did you believe in _____? It is also known that he was privately, personally, against abortion, but did not believe in limiting others rights to choice by inflicting his religious values on them.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-1963)
The 35th President of the United States (1961-1963)
Whatever one's religion in his private life may be, for the officeholder, nothing takes precedence over his oath to uphold the Constitution and all its parts -- including the First Amendment and the strict separation of church and state.
-- John F Kennedy, Interview, Look, March 3, 1959, from Albert J Menendez and Edd Doerr,
If my church attempted to influence me in a way which was improper or which affected adversely my responsibilities as a public servant sworn to uphold the Constitution, then I would reply to them that this was an improper action on their part. It was one to which I could not subscribe.
-- John F Kennedy, press conference, Houston, Texas, September 12, 1960,
We do not want an official state church. If ninety-nine percent of the population were Catholics, I would still be opposed to it. I do not want civil power combined with religious power. I want to make it clear that I am committed as a matter of deep personal conviction to separation.
-- John F Kennedy, Interview, CBS-TV, "Face the Nation," October 30, 1960,
I do not speak for my church on public matters; and the church does not speak for me.
-- John F Kennedy, address to the Ministerial Association of Greater Houston, September 12, 1960,
A politician in this country swears first to uphold the US Constitution. In doing so he must put his personal beliefs second to his constituency and to the laws of the United States of America. It is ironic… JFK almost didn’t get elected President because people were afraid he would govern under the guidance of the Papacy. Now, people are deriding his brother because he did not govern at the direction of the Papacy.
Also, I would note, that to some people what you say is correct. To others, they separate and differentiate between a fetus that could live outside the mother and those who could not. This is a distinction backed by science, not by 2000+ year old mythology. I will stick with modern understanding. Then again, I am left handed. Fifty years ago I would have been tied and beaten by the nuns if I tried to write with my left hand… It is interesting how society and our understanding of life and the world change with more information.
When you die do you expect your sins or disagreements with doctrine or the teachings in the Bible to be aired publicly, or is it ok if they are just dealt with privately? Most people get that experience. When they die, people speak well of them, gloss over their failings, give them credit for their positive attributes. It amazes me the number of people who claim to be Christian but are among the most unforgiving and judgemental people I encounter, as they wrap themselves in the spiritual superiority of their own analysis of their beliefs, judging everyone by their belief system, including those who are not of it and those who struggle, like they do.
Everyone forgets how Jesus forgave the harlot, and with the simple suggestion to "cast the first stone" makes us all realize that we're in no position to judge.
Yes, our faith's doctrine is frustrating and hyprocritical at times. Nonetheless, it's our faith. We need to answer to only one Being.
The senator was corrupt, and full of secrets and scandals. He is facing God as we speak.
Yes, Mike C, but the harlot was repentant and acknowledged her sin... there's a big difference. Lapsed Catholics and libs never want to acknowledge anything as sin, particularly, murdering unborn children or otherwise enabling it.
Kai
First my deepest sympathies and sorrow on the abuse inflicted upon you by a religious. I hope that one day you can once again come back to Holy Mother Church who still counts you as one of her children.
As to your second post.. If a politcian puts his duty to his constituency over his/her personal beliefs, is he/she not a hypocrite? If I represented the Commonwealth in the Congress, I would put my pro-life stand out there and would be judged by the voters if I should continue in office or not. Regardless of the outcome, I would be able to sleep at night knowing that I kept faith with my conscience.
The media refers to "The Kennedy Family" as America's Royalty ! Joe Kennedy made his money bootlegging and involvement with gangsters and the underworld...None of them had any CHARACTER..!! Yes, it still counts ! You don't need a dime to have that! Teddy cheated at Harvard...cheated on his beautiful wife Joan...caused the death of another beautiful girl, Mary Jo...twisted the rules of the Church to suit himself...put forth left-wing legislation to change this wonderful Country...because, he said, he cared for "the poor." Excuse me...his estate is worth 45 million..if he REALLY cared...he could have done a lot to help others with that !!! He WAS" King of this World...he sold his soul...wonder where it is now...? He did ask the Pope to pray for him...Why NOT go to the top ! Its always worked before !!
KJR
Please read the quotes from JFK above... they highlight the notion that a RC politician swears an oath to uphold the US Constitution. They also must advocate for what their constituency wants. The papacy trying to change that definition to suit it's need is too much meddling in the affairs of this country.
It is said that Kennedy was personally opposed to abortion on religious grounds, but as a leader, representing his country and the US Constitution chose to uphold the Constitution and rule of law. THIS is his duty.
I find it ironic, as I have mentioned above, that JFK was almost not elected because there was fear that he would run his government guided by the Pope. Ted Kennedy is being derided because he did not let the Pope guide him as a leader on the national stage. However, at a more basic level, Ted Kennedy's legacy is one of struggle for social justice. This is a huge part of the core of the RCC. Somehow all of the self-important stone throwing judges out there forget that and reduce acceptability to the Church to one or two topics.
Joe, thank you for the concern.
To put a touch of a light spin on my feelings on your hopes... please never threaten me with that.
I absolutely cannot stand that although I have rejected the RCC in every way I can, it still decides that I belong to it. The RCC can fall off a cliff and shut up shop and go home tomorrow, and it wouldn't be soon or complete enough an end for me. If I were to get one of my fondest fantasies, and Cardinal (Above the) Law were extradited tomorrow and tried for enabling the abuse of minors, starting a line of similar trials, it would not appease me, but just mean that some of the criminals were in jail, where they belonged.
Regarding your second comment, I disagree. In part this is because we are talking about separation of church and state. For a government leader to put their religious convictions ahead of the Constitution is irresponsible. Your job is to protect the Constitution. Your job is to represent your constituency in the best way you know how. For example, as a conservative Catholic (theoretically) would you attempt to pass legislation to forbid the serving of meat on Fridays during Lent? If it is something you believe in... you should, by your logic. Or, do you recognize that only a small percentage of your constituents are RC and have that belief and represent the greater majority? Would you be a hypocrite if you didn't try to legislate your full slate of beliefs? All you can worry about on your conscience is if you live your life in accord with your beliefs, you don't have to try to impose them on everyone else.
I also understand that with this example I am using you as part of the example without knowing your beliefs, so simply making them up for you for the sake of the discussion.
Bedtime for me... enjoy the discussion.
Like anyone else, TKennedy had his faults.
Kai,
What Joe said above. Also if Kennedy had supported a womans choice to terminate the life of her born children would you feel the same?
Kai - I hear that argument against JFK often. No one forces anyone into politics. Roe was decided long after JFK. JFK was not "defending the constitution", he was out front, contrary to his Church's teaching, enabling social engineering and was the biggest force behind the legalization of abortion politically there was - in direct contradiction to his stated faith. That is the sin and hypocracy of the Kennedy and phony other "Catholic" politicians.
p2bc,
No ... once the fetus becomes viable, is able to survive without the mother, to me things change. But, I do not believe in divinity or a soul, which makes it a whole different ball of wax.
KJR,
I am using the argument supporting JFK, not against him. While no one forces anyone into politics, however, it is pretty well known that Joe Kennedy was raising his sons to be politicians and raising them all with the goal of the Oval Office. Joe died in WWII ... next one stepped up, etc.
I would argue that JFK was defending the Constitution. I am not speaking specifically about abortion, this is not a single issue discussion. He had his personal beliefs, his personal faith, however he had a nation of people to govern, not all of whom were RC, and had to govern based on what he felt was best for the country, not what was best for the RCC. He had to govern all of the people. Some forms of social engineering are better or worse, depending on how you define the term. Is mandatory busing and integration social engineering? How about desegrating schools? The birth control issue is one way, how about stem cell research, or a minimum wage or or or or?
I would note that at the writing of the Constitution abortion was legal, though not done with the medical expertise it is now. The illegality came later, if memory serves in the mid to late 1800s and lasted a century, roughly. You see hypocrisy. I see someone leading a whole country, one populated by people with different beliefs.
By your theory, when we have a Jewish President, he might start pushing legislation mandating the non consumption of pork products and other facets of Kosher cooking. After all, it is what he believes, what his faith teaches is right. It could be rough up here if he manages to make eating shellfish illegal. To do otherwise would be hypocrisy and against the teachings of his God.
The Cardinal made an egregious mistake in attending the Kennedy funeral.
1. First of all, i am one for mercy, for the deceased and family, especially at the end of life.
2. But the Church showing God's mercy did not require the Cardinal Archbishop of Boston attending the Mass. The obvious path was that, since Fr. Mark Hession was the Senator's personal pastor on the Cape, then the Bishop of Fall River Diocese, George Coleman, should have presided at the funeral, and this would have given the Cardinal an 'out.'
3. No matter what anyone else says, the Cardinal's attendance at the funeral Mass was and will be understood by prominent politicians, especially Catholic ones, as a wink, that the Church's bark about abortion is much worse than its bite.
4. The Cardinal (and i think some of his worldly, PR obsessed advisors) thought they were reaching out to the perhaps underchurched or non churched. But those folks won't be in church next week. Instead, he threw some of the Church's most pious, the pro-lifers, under the bus. His actions basically said "all your pro life work, prayer, educational efforts, protesting---are worthless.'
5. Lot's of nonsensed about Ted's letter to the Pope. No Catholic need write to the Pope. Go to confession to your closest, or parish priest, indicate sorrow, and you'll be forgiven. EXCEPT, in some cases, to show your sorrow, like if you stole $50 dollars,you would be instructed to pay it back, in the case of obstinate, contumacious, self-righteous holding of a doctrine contrary to the Church, the 'i'm personally opposed to abortion but will fight for others' right to choose abortion' heresy, you would be required to publicaly forsake and abjure it before absolution. Still waiting to hear it.
All this happened around the feast of St. Augustine, he of the famous 'love the sinner, hate the sin.' The Cardinal's attendance showed his, and Christ's, love for the sinner, but a few putrid belated sentences on a blog does not count for 'hating the sin.' The Cardinal forgot the 'prophetic' part of his ministry.
You miss the point Kai. I don't care is any person of faith (particularly Catholic) runs and serves in office. That is very noble. However, if you call yourself a Catholic (or Christian), then that trumps all and if you are materially conflicted, then the duty is to leave office and be faithful TO YOUR FAITH tradition before serving as a politician. They have been reprimanded repeatedly over the years by the Church and they have continued to put their middle finger up at them nonetheless.
The Kennedys and the rest of the phony Catholic politicians make a mockery of this. They are the biggest hypocrites on earth, claiming they are faithful Catholics. You cannot be a faithful Catholic and enable an intrinsic evil as defined by the very faith to which you claim to be faithful. It is a national embarrassment.
Dear Cardinal Sean
I agree with the woman who said she was so grateful that other "Catholics" were not judging her..but rather, a compassionate God!
I am so grateful for your participation in the funeral...very Christlike and what I need and expect in my church leaders.
Posted by KJR September 4, 09 05:40 PM
KJR, a person's duty to humanity trumps all, not his adherence to the self-serving orthodoxies of other men. And, as I've asked before, who the hell are you, of all people, to judge anyone as a phony Catholic? You have shown yourself time and again to be loyal only to the Vatican, which is one very small part of Catholicism, in spite of their historic usurpation of "authority". In fact, given the institutional support of the mass rape of children, the Roman Catholic hierarchy has no legitimate claim to moral authority, and the only legal authority they have is in the State of Vatican City. The Kennedys have done far more to help what Jesus of Nazareth would have called "the least of mine" than any right wing zealots will ever do. And as for your cardinal, well, now he wants "civility"? He decided to hop into bed with zealots and haters, to use them to advance his own political agenda, and now they've turned on him. What the hell did he expect from that crowd? I think that it's telling that he only asked for civility after he became their target.