Excerpts of Kennedy letter to pope and response

The Patriot Room ^ | August 30, 2009 | Clyde Middleton

[clyde_m]

I read this letter and response, and tried to form something, anything in my head as commentary. I read both letters, went back to Sen. Kennedy's letter, re-read sentences ... then just closed the screen. "I'm not here to kick Teddy around," I told myself. "He did a good enough job himself."

But I noticed the stated - against the death penalty - and the unstated - except when it came to children in the womb. I noticed how "human failings" covered a rather broad assortment of activities from sexual assault to habitual drunkenness to manslaughter.

[Alex Murphy]

“I want you to know, Your Holiness, that in my nearly 50 years of elective office, I have done my best to champion the rights of the poor and open doors of economic opportunity. I’ve worked to welcome the immigrant, fight discrimination and expand access to healthcare and education. I have opposed the death penalty and fought to end war. Those are the issues that have motivated me and have been the focus of my work as a Unites States Senator. I also want you to know that even though I am ill, I am committed to do everything I can to achieve access to health care for everyone in my country. This has been the political cause of my life. I believe in a conscience protection for Catholics in the health field and I will continue to advocate for it as my colleagues in the Senate and I work to develop an overall national health policy that guarantees health care for everyone. I have always tried to be a faithful Catholic, Your Holiness, and though I have fallen short through human failings, I have never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings of my faith. I continue to pray for God's blessings on you and on our church and would be most thankful for your prayers for me."

Behind closed doors in the papal library, Obama handed Benedict a letter that Senator Edward Kennedy had asked him to personally deliver to the pontiff. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs later told reporters that nobody - not even the President - knew the contents of the sealed missive....The letter, most likely already re-sealed and tucked away in the Vatican archives, was probably just a dying Catholic's request for a papal blessing. In the eyes of the traditionalist wing of the Church, however, Kennedy should have been asking the Pope for forgiveness....
-- After Kennedy's Death: Silence from the Pope

"A crummy commercial? Son of a bitch!"

[Citizen Soldier]

I have been taught in Reconciliation one had to be more specific than a blanket response to what one has done in sinning to be forgiven, note there is no response from the Pope on the letter, else the faily would surely let the media know they had one from the Pope. Silence on the matter speaks volumes. IMHO

[xkaydet65]

The Vatican response could be used in Funk and Wagnalls as the very definition of “pro forma.”

[lastchance]

Perfect!!!!

You and I may have vastly different views on Catholicism. But I bet both our responses to finding out we were very close to death would not be too toot our own horn but to approach the Lord with humble gratitude and sincere repentence for our sins and to plead His mercy upon us.

Kennedy remained an arrogant twit to the end. And he apparantly mistakes the works of the Democratic party with works of love inspired by Grace.

[HighlyOpinionated]

See post #17 at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2327969/posts

[MIchaelTArchangel]

The letter sounds rather arrogant! Why would Kennedy want to brag about his alleged accomplishments--even when his opposition to the death penalty did not apply to the unborn--and go on about his goal of bringing health care to all Americans--something we already have?

I suspect the real letter was more contrite and confessed his long litany of sins including those reserved sins that must be confessed to a bishop or to the Pope himself. If that's the case, the Pope cannot divulge the contents of the letter because of the seal of confession and the Kennedy Klan of Konspirators (KKK for short) can put out any story they want to put out.

I also note that the Pope did not write the letter. Pope Benedict the XVI had one of his secretaries write a letter that did not say much other than: Sorry you are not feeling well and The Pope sends his blessing.

It is also disingenuous to claim the Pope sent the letter as the Pope did not sign the letter and from the wording of the letter it is pretty clear the Pope did not dictate the letter.