I read that it was Drinan who first used the abominable formulation, "personally opposed, BUT . . . ."
Kennedy's death (and the dog-and-pony show) brought to mind for me a prayer in the old Sarum Missal (English, 14th century) begging for forgiveness for sins we don't know we've committed. When I read it years ago, it struck me as an odd formulation, but -- again, thinking on Kennedy -- it might be more salutary to reflect on those sins in us that might be far more obvious to others than to ourselves . . .
If I wanted to be snarky, I might add that self-righteousness is one that a lot of people might want to consider. (Yes, I am aware that that's the rhetorical device of preterition -- to mention something by saying you won't mention it.) Granted, some people make self-righteousness easier than others, but I don't think that counts as an excuse.
Fascinating! I have never heard of the Sarum Missal. Just returned from Mass. In the Maronite Divine Liturgy, the Intercessions are given after the Invocation of the Holy Spirit (Epiclesis) with the consecrated species on the altar. Immediately following the list of intercessions, the celebrant offers up this prayer:
Remember, O Lord, the faithful departed. Accept this offering on their behalf. They put their hope in Your mercy and compassion and await Your graces. Grant them rest in the bosom of Abraham and call them to be guests in Your kingdom. Grant also to us a peaceful death and blot out our offenses, for no one on earth is without sin except Your only-begotten Son, through whom we hope, along with them, to receive pardon for our sins.
And we pray to You, O Lord.
To which the congregation responds:
Grant them rest, O lord, and forgive all our sins and failings: Those sins we have committed knowingly and those things we have done without knowledge.
The liturgy is ancient ... some of the prayers date back to the 4th century. Is there no equivalent of this prayer in the Novus Ordo?
As for Kennedy, what struck me most about this 10 page letter is that 1) he was able to submit it to the pope via "his" president, a privilege not available to any one of us. He used his "connections". And 2) his purpose in writing it seems to be an acknowledgement of his failings. He speaks of following his Catholic faith in matters of social concern, none of which benefit the slaughtered innocents. It's a twisted logic that has permeated nearly half the Catholic populace, not only here but in other parts of the world as well.
Faced with imminent death, would it ever occur to you to write the pope? It's as if he were trying to justify his actions before God, hoping the pope will 'intercede' on his behalf. Perhaps he was hoping that the pope would condone his work so he could then absolve himself before God, pointing the finger at the pope. Or am I reading too much into this?