Your problem is that there is no evidence Teddy K was repentant. He held both prohomosexual and proabortion positions while having mass at his house.
Even though Canon 915 states: Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or the declaration of a penalty as well as others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to communion.
But despite the picture RCs often paint of the efficacy of their magisterium, in Rome interpretation is much involved on various levels, and thus the liberal Wuerl could say,
"I stand with the great majority of American bishops and bishops around the world in saying this canon [Canon 915] was never intended to be used this way.'' -- http://www.canonlaw.info/2009/03/abps-wuerl-c-916-burke-cc-915-916-on.html
He wrote to the pope, delivered by Pres. Obama, and the pope wrote back (through a senior Vatican official), out of which Cardinal McCarrick read, in which there was neither any evident penitence by the former or censure from the latter. Instead Kennedy insolently asserted he “never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings” of his church, and tried to be a faithful Catholic, etc..
The closest thing we get to any kind of contrition is the ambiguous, “I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith, I have tried to right my path,” before he goes on to to defend his wonderful works, including fighting discrimination. Not a word of remorse about supporting abortion or promoting homosexual rights - which were part of his fight against discrimination, or promoting indolence and a welfare state.
And all we have from the papal response is no chastisement, but the pope expressing that, "he is particularly grateful for your promise of prayers for him and for the needs of the universal Church," and "invokes upon you the consolation and peace promised by the Risen Savior, and “cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of wisdom, comfort and strength in the Lord.” (http://www.thebostonpilot.com/articleprint.asp?id=10800/)
Yet according to Canon 1184 §, unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals: 1/ notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics; 2/ those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith; 3/ other manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful. (http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P4X.HTM; http://www.ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur280.htm)
Now you can talk all you want about latae sententiae, but if Rome treats such as TRCs (trad. RCs) consider autoexcoms as members in life and in death, then it is obvious that that the TRC interpretation is not what Rome manifestly subscribes to and effectually conveys.
But they attack evangelicals who were once part of the liberal RC church.
daniell1212:
I have no evidence of anything, as I said. My presumption is that he did repent before he died given he had a funeral mass. I don’t know how Trad RC’s got into this discussion. Traditional Catholics who are in communion with Rome and go to Mass with Priests of the Insitute of CHrist the King or Society of St. Peter are not in schism.
Now those who now view Bishop Fellay [I think it is or Williamson], the leader of the SSPX have formally set up a schismatic Church, which is clearly defined as an excommunicable offense.
Look I am and was not a fan of Kennedy’ politics but most of the excommunicable offenses are directed at Bishops and Priests. The Canon clearly states ‘Procured an abortion” is that the same thing as “supports liberal judges who promote abortion rights” I don’t know the answer to that as I have not seen anyone excommunicated for this. If someone haves or is involved in an abortion, the language is quite clear. Do we know Kennedy was involved in one.
Do we know if he attacked the Pope? or desecrated the Eucharist and had Black-Masses with it [a Sacrilege]. Did he apostate from the faith, i.e. leave the Church [even though he was not the stellar Catholic], did he cause Catholics to leave the Church [formal schism]. The closest thing is his views on abortion rights which one has to say is formal heresy sort of like denying the Divinity of Christ or the Resurrection. Supporting abortion rights is sinful but is it a latae sententaie offense?
There are lots of things that are sinful that don’t incur automatic excommunication. Lust, anger, greed, gossip, not going to Mass on Sunday. One is out of the Church in so much as they have sinned, but the call is to go to confession and repent, not drive people away.
I am no Canon Lawyer and neither are you [assuming you are Catholic] but Abortion was starting to be legalized in Europe going back to the 20’s in Russia, Poland, Sweeden, Mexico, Iceland, Denmark legalized it in some form in the 30’s, Japan in the late 40’s. Have we ever seen a lay Catholic excommunicated back in those days.
I know of 3 lay Catholics in Louisiana who were excommunicated when they challenged the Archbishop of New Orleans authority in public and had a standoff on the desegregation of Catholic Schools, parishes, hospitals, etc, etc. But that sort of goes to in essence, creating a schism in that those 3 were setting up a parallel Church and challenging the Bishops authority.
So I will err on the side of Mercy and presume that Teddy did in fact make a good Sacrament of COnfession before he died, with a good Act of Contrition, and that he received the Annointing of the Sick and Viaticum [His Last Eucharist] and that God’s Grace found away to rescue Ole Teddy from himself, albeit, I would conjecture Ole Teddy had or is still having a stop over in Purgatory!!! before he can enjoy the full Beatific Vision.
The absolute worst Catholic bashers are fallen-away Catholics. They are all on a guilt trip so they constantly have to rant and rave and act like a little a little kid that can’t get his way. The Bible is very specific about the Holy Eucharist and anyone that wittingly makes fun of it, and knows better (like fallen-away Catholics), God will surely judge them when their time on this earth is done.
So instead of constantly trying to justify leaving the faith, why don’t you just let it go and quit making yourself look silly with your ignorance of scripture. If you are truly happy with your new faith, how about leaving those alone that are Catholic and proud of their faith. Show a little respect. That’s all anyone asks.