Posted on 09/05/2009 10:33:55 AM PDT by Irisshlass
While I was never a fan of Senator Ted Kennedy for a variety of reasons, I watched his funeral on television last Saturday. I prayed for the repose of his soul, the forgiveness of his sins, the consolation of a large Kennedy family who allowed the world to share their grief and sorrow once again on the public stage. I know of no family that has allowed the entire world into so many moments of personal grief, tragedy and loss over the years as the Kennedys. Among that great lot are some very good people. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who preceded her brother in death only two weeks before left her mark on the world by her championing the Gospel of Life throughout her own life.
As a Roman Catholic Priest who is pro-life, I was proud of my Church last week, and grateful for the courageous and gracious actions of American Church leaders in Boston and Washington, who opened the doors of their Church to reveal a Gospel of mercy and hospitality, in the midst of sinfulness and ambiguity of public leaders who are in need of conversion, forgiveness and prayers, like the rest of us.
Leading up to the Kennedy funeral last weekend, and in its aftermath, many so-called lovers of life and activists in the pro-life movement, as well as well-known colleagues in Catholic television broadcasting and media in North America, have revealed themselves to be not agents of life, but of division, destruction, hatred, vitriol, judgment and violence. Their words and actions vitiate their efforts in favor of life. Their open and public attacks against Cardinal Séan O’Malley, OFM, Cap, Archbishop of Boston; Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop emeritus of Washington, D.C.; the priests involved in the funeral liturgy in Boston’s historic Mission Basilica..."
(Excerpt) Read more at saltandlighttv.org ...
The Internet has provided many rank-and-file faithful believers to disagree with this opinion. Comments linked to the article are running overwhelmingly against the way the public funeral was handled, saying it sent the wrong message. I certainly agree.
Ted Kennedy and his family placed the Church in a very difficult position by insisting on a very public tribute Mass for his funeral. By their fruits you will know them.
Senator Kennedy received all his accolades here on Earth; I doubt he’s receiving them in the afterlife.
In my opinion, the Church should have insisted that the bishops toe the line and offer only a private funeral Mass for him. We must remember, however, that Ted Kennedy is pretty insignificant when viewed through the eyes of the Pope with thousands of years of history behind him.
However, it has caused scandal. Our Benedict should have been on top of it and the bishops who allowed it to happen should bear the responsibility for causing this scandal in the Church. They’ve also increased confusion about who Catholics are for everybody else.
The winnowing out continues.
Just Friggin’ UNBELIEVABLE!
hate to say it, but this archbishop is a celebrity hound who is counting his donations and perks.
just disgusting to insult the Catholics who are upset cause of “cannonization’ ( YEAH, THAT IS WHAT IT WAS), not just a simple funeral..and that they are angry about abortionists!
then he gets the Bible story of the woman in adultery all WRONG in his “comparison’. What a jerk! Why not just resign from the Priesthood and become the CNN star you really want to be.
Maybe he needs to change his title to “Senator Edward Kennedy’s funeral: On cowardice and complacency.”
The church did what they wanted to do.
I didn’t share in the funeral with the family.
The church did what they wanted to do. Period!
Save the lecture Father for someone who will appreciate it but...don’t be lecturing us!!!
“Afterwords we all drove home drunk...”
.
Afterwords?
Tee many martoonies.
This priest wrote, “As a Roman Catholic priest who is pro-life...” Is this priest an idiot? Why don’t you, Father, just say something as equally stupid as: “As a Roman Catholic priest who believes in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.”
We need to get some priests and bishops who have a clue what it means to be a Catholic...Kumbaya...Kumbaya...
This priest wrote, “As a Roman Catholic priest who is pro-life...” Is this priest an idiot? Why don’t you, Father, just say something as equally stupid as: “As a Roman Catholic priest who believes in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.”
We need to get some priests and bishops who have a clue what it means to be a Catholic...Kumbaya...Kumbaya...
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