~~PING!
Ted Kennedy’s *very* quiet Catholicism
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http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/09/teddy_kennedys_very_quiet_cath.html
Like a big lump of clay, Teddy Kennedy is being worked and reworked into an immortal. The mainstream media and other liberal apologists are seeing to the handiwork. They even want us to believe that Kennedy was squared with his Catholicism. But how could he be? He was unapologetically pro-abortion.
Time magazine gave it go, though. It published an article last week about Kennedy’s “quiet Catholic faith.” For a man so vocal about many things, he certainly did keep quiet about his faith. And with good reason.
Egregious apostasy was Teddy’s way.
On every major abortion vote, the late Senator walked lockstep with NARAL Pro-Choice America. Here’s the checklist:
* No on defining an unborn child as eligible for SCHIP;
* No on prohibiting minors to cross state lines for abortion;
* No on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions;
* No on criminal penalties for harming unborn fetus during other crime;
* No on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life;
* No on maintaining ban on military base abortions;
* No on banning human cloning;
* Yes on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines
((http://www.ontheissues.org/Social/Ted_Kennedy_Abortion.htm))
The sanctity of innocent human life — the life of the unborn — is a bedrock principle of Roman Catholicism. It’s nonnegotiable. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reads, in part:
(2271) “Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law...Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes. [Italics added]
Not misdemeanors but abominable crimes, reads the Catechism. Abortion is not a gray area that leaves room for discretion and choice.
Having grown up in the church, and raised by a devout mother (Rose), Kennedy was steeped in the teachings and strictures of Catholicism.
His embracing abortion was a deliberate, conscious decision to turn his back on church teachings.
But prior to Kennedy making a break with the church, he was public in his opposition to abortion. In 1971 he wrote:
“While the deep concern of a woman bearing an unwanted child merits consideration and sympathy, it is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life.
Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized — the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old.”
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Rest at link
Thank you for alerting me to the two articles.
His embracing abortion was a deliberate, conscious decision to turn his back on church teachings.
Yes, it was deliberate and many thanks are due Fr. Drinan(deceased '07), the shameful, pro-abortion priest who served in the House '71-'81. A priest on Raymond Arroyo's program last Friday, talked about Drinan's meeting with Teddy that convinced Teddy to go against the Church in support of abortion rights.
The priest went on to say (paraphrasing) "just think what could have been, had Kennedy stayed true to the Church? No, Biden's Kerry's Leahy's and other pro-abortion RC's. Kennedy gave them the courage and leadership to go against the Church."
I hope Drinan and Kennedy are having another meeting as I type. Maybe a fireside chat of sorts.