Re 237; by your circular reasoning no one can be certain he is a believer/saved; it is interesting how you reason that unrepentant believers were never saved; I don’t think that Ted Kennedy was a penitent Catholic, but he was certainly not a Catholic priest or other religious leader. He was a politician, one rank below, well, you know.
A few hundred million Christians will disagree with you on that...And that includes me...
Instead of saying people can't know, I'd be wondering (worrying) why they claim they know they are saved while I know I'm not...
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13).
No. We cannot be certain of anyone else's salvation because we don't know their heart. Only God does.
I don’t think that Ted Kennedy was a penitent Catholic, but he was certainly not a Catholic priest or other religious leader. He was a politician, one rank below, well, you know.
God is no respecter of persons.
Although there is more accountability to those who have more light, more knowledge, He is not impressed with our credentials.
Yet he was treated as a member in life and in death, even receiving an ecclesiastical funeral, Canon 915 being interpreted as not disallowing it, and a recent letter Ted wrote to the Pope to the pope, delivered by Obama (if the ACLU ever knew) who gave the eulogy, was read at his graveside, in which he ]Kennedy] insolently asserts 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” [evidence needed!], before he goes on to to defend his wonderful works, including universal health care. Not a word of remorse about supporting abortion or promoting homosexual rights, or indolence and a welfare state.
In his response, the pope did not censure him at all, but in the response, written, as usual, through a senior Vatican official, it states,
“He was saddened to know of your illness, and has asked me to assure you of his concern and his spiritual closeness. He is particularly grateful for your promise of prayers for him and for the needs of the universal Church."
The Holy Father has read the letter which you entrusted to President Barack Obama, who kindly presented it to him during their recent meeting. His Holiness prays that in the days ahead you may be sustained in faith and hope, and granted the precious grace of joyful surrender to the will of God our merciful Father. He invokes upon you the consolation and peace promised by the Risen Savior to all who share in His sufferings and trust in His promise of eternal life.
Commending you and the members of your family to the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of wisdom, comfort and strength in the Lord." "(http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/08/29/ted-kennedy-to-pope-benedict-i-am-writing-with-deep-humility/)
Sounds like everything was copacetic. However, if he had converted and become a very conservative evangelical, then i am sure real concern for his soul would have been expressed.