Posted on 09/03/2009 6:57:00 AM PDT by TaxachusettsMan
Cardinal OMalley issued a forceful defense of his decision to participate in the funeral of Senator Kennedy; revealed the substance of a conversation he had with President Obama: Catholic bishops 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.
But the most impassioned part of the cardinals blog post is a de facto plea for greater civility among Catholics when discussing divisive issues. He warned against harsh judgments and attributing the worst motives to people with whom Catholics have disagreements, saying these attitudes and practices do irreparable damage to the communion of the Church.
OMalley said he regretted Kennedys support for abortion rights. But 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.
Raymond Arroyo at EWTN wrote: The prayer intercessions, endless eulogies, image of the cardinal 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.
Also praise. Rev. James Martin, associate editor at America magazine, wrote, Cardinal OMalleys decision to attend the funeral is large-hearted, compassionate, pastoral, sensitive and, above all, Christian.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
ping to self
Count ll-failure to speak out against the Holocaust.
As I explained in another post the Church has clearly spoken out against both evils. I did not say that there was a good response,merely that they did speak out.
Regards the disservice Catholics and noncatholics do to the Jewish people by bringing attention to the Holocaust in every conversation and discussion of other peoples' persecution and ill treatment,it is only human to start wondering about the rest of the story,so to speak.
Wasn't it Lady MacBeth who was faulted for "protesting too much"?
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