Comments on: Senator Edward Kennedy: Resilient? Yes. Devout? Not exactly.

By: m7wij

m7wij — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:27:57 +0000

Would that his death actually represented the passing of an era, not the continuation of a holocaust that has surpassed those perpetrated by Hitler and Stalin. May God have mercy as we have not seen from the senator.

By: wgsullivan

wgsullivan — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:51:47 +0000

Seems to be a bit of misunderstanding concerning judgment of actions and judgment of the soul. We all judge actions every day. Ever been disgusted with the drunken workmate at the Christmas party? How about the lazy co-worker? Our court system makes judgments concerning actions every time it works as it should.
Ted had acted poorly, guiltily, and scandalously. Being a very public figure, Ted’s bar was a bit higher. Ted never publicly recanted.
I believe a few articles like these, need be. Simply to balance all the canonizations taking place in other articles.

By: guitarmom

guitarmom — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:57:20 +0000

I note that the author of this article is an Australian.

In his defense, there are strong cultural differences between Australians and Americans regarding death. It is not uncommon for an Aussie to make jokes about the dead, in particular what should or might have been done with the deceased’s body. These jokes may sound harsh to an American ear, but our culture treats death much more softly than is done Down Under.

So, as a former resident of that “sunburnt country,” I hope that American readers will give this Australian author a bit of a pass.

By: jgbuff

jgbuff — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:26:37 +0000

I contemplated this article for a long time, then I realized what a judgemental disrespectful article it was to the dead. I found myself hating a man and judging him as I read it. As a catholic christian I feel ashamed for that, there is no love or prayers in this article. Ted Kennedy definately sinned like we all have. We all fall short. However, I would rather see the glass as half full, he knew he was dieing over a long period of time. I would like to think that in that time he reconciled with God through the sacrement of reconcilliation or the through the sacrement of healing, which also cleanses ones soul. This knowlege is Gods alone. WE ARE NOT THE JUDGE. I pray for the repose of his soul.

By: plowshare

plowshare — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:18:04 +0000

Getting specific about public repentance, etc.:

Did Kennedy ever vote in favor of the ban on partial-birth abortion? or have any kind words for it? Even Father Drinian did the latter, although it took the personal involvement of then-Cardinal Ratzinger to “convince” him to do it.

Did Kennedy ever resign his membership in the Knights of Columbus on the grounds that its pro-life position is diametrically opposed to his own on abortion?

Did Kennedy vote for the federal Born-Alive Infant Protection Act–the act that was identical with the Illinois version (except for it being written for federal lands rather than for the State of Illinois) that Obama zealously campaigned against?

By: elkabrikir

elkabrikir — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:17:50 +0000

As soon as I heard that Kennedy died I prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy for his soul with some of my children. I initiated the prayer for Kennedy’s soul as the divine remedy for my own thoughts regarding the man.

I’m glad he’s gone. There, I’ve said it.

Now he can do no more temporal damage. Good riddance to bad rubbage!

That said, I don’t wish hell on him at all. I will face the same Just Judge as he faced. “The measure with which you measure, will be measured out to you.”

God didn’t allow the “RIch man who stepped over the poor man, Lazurus every day” to leave hell and warn his brothers that the prophets were indeed correct. Perhaps God’s mysterious grace will permeate those of us left such that we recognize and repent of our sins.

This article exhibit’s true charity for Kennedy, despite its bitterly honest tone. The author knows that we all need prayers, yet who prays for the soul of a saint? Even one who killed somebody while in a drunken stupor?

Yes, Eternal rest grant unto him, O’ Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.

CE, thanks for running the first honest article I’ve seen yet on the subject.

By: eire245

eire245 — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:15:52 +0000

I am glad to see there is a least one other comment of admonishment for this author. If you are chastizing Sen Kennedy for his sins, and pronouncing judgement on him, then please proceed to do the same to yourself. It is sinful
to be this uncharitable, and utter such criticism on a public website that is supposed to be “Catholic”…..Have you also uttered similar judgements and
suggestions to many others in the Church who have injured and caused irreparable
harm (i will not specify further)…No, I am sure you advocate to pray for them and forgive………..That is what we are called to do. If God needs any help
in the judgement department,maybe he will let you know, until then be
CHRISTIAN, don’t just talk about it. I will pray for you.

By: LarryW2LJ

LarryW2LJ — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:57:23 +0000

I am glad I am not in the position of judge or arbiter; as I would have a very difficult time finding on behalf of Mr. Kennedy. I hope to God that through the trial of his illness; that he sought God’s forgiveness. My experience has been that sometimes Catholics who go out on a limb in oppostion to the Magesterium remain steadfastly obstinate, even until the end. On the possibility that it might have done some good, I have said a Divine Mercy chaplet on his behalf.

By: goral

goral — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:16:21 +0000

Burying Kennedy at sea is only borderline humorous. The man had a maritime leisure life. The Arlington burial is far more out of order and an act of disrespect to the honorable souls who are reposed there.

Who are we to judge the guys motives and life? That statement and others like it have given us the moral clarity of the Kennedy’s, the church scandal, abortion on demand, the murder of Teri Shiavo, Madonna concerts, internet porn and the loss of countless souls.

The malfunctioning moral compass of “devout” catholics is hard to take but when an attitude such as that comes out of the hierarchy of the Church then we the faithful must speak up, it is our duty; our life and the life of the Church depend on it.

The Protestants and others can do fine in their meeting houses without an alter or Ministers. We can not, we must have deacons and priests and bishops who uphold the Apostolic orthodoxy of the Church.
For those who don’t take their commission seriously, step away. Join the Kennedy’s, Kerry’s and Pelosi’s at the beach or at the bar or on the boat.

By: dennisofraleigh

dennisofraleigh — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:52:50 +0000

The Kennedy family story has all the makings of a Greek tragedy.
Treachery, duplicity, political ambition and tragic and untimely death have marked this dynasty almost from the beginning. Ted Kennedy’s career in politics was no exception.
But “devout” Catholic? Ted made noises like he was a “devout” Catholic, but in the context of being a Kennedy (and all that that entailed) we have to realize that much of that was posturing for the benefit of his loyal Catholic Massachusetts contituency, who have been sending him back to the Senate since the mid-1960′s (Ted’s position on abortion, notwithstanding). Ted was loyal to the Church and Her teachings to the degree they coincided with his political philosopy. But “statesman?” Were any of the Kennedy sons ever thought of as “statesmen?” Hardly. They were “the Kennedy brothers”: Jack, Bobby and Ted. May they all rest in peace.