This one sickens me. And not just a little gurgle in my stomach. I’m talking about Linda Blair projectile vomiting, spin my head around, and hurling insults at anyone near me. Yeah, that kind of sickening.
According to the LA Times:
Cardinal Roger Mahony issued a statement today calling the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) a champion of “the voiceless, the powerless and the most needy of our citizens.”
This is sickening and troubling at the same time because Kennedy was a debauched politician who turned his back on the unborn for political expediency. Yeah the unborn who are the voiceless, the powerless and the most needy of our citizens.
Now you can argue that Mahony was likely referring to illegal immigrants. But it seems the Cardinal needs an editor because illegal aliens or undocumented workers aren’t citizens. We can argue about whether they should be but it’s just not factual. So to get this straight, if anyone walks over the border they’re citizens who deserve all of the rights granted to Americans but those little people in the womb aren’t citizens worthy of all the rights of citizens.
I’d also bet that Mary Jo Kopechne qualified as voiceless and powerless as Teddy swam away.
Kennedy believed in 1971 that the unborn were worth standing up for. Sadly, as the Democratic Party headed towards abortion extremism Kennedy didn’t defend the unborn, he acquiesced and even became a leader in the cult of baby killing offering millions of Catholics cover for turning their backs on the unborn as well.
In ’71, Kennedy wrote:
While the deep concern of a woman bearing an unwanted child merits consideration and sympathy, it is my personal feeling that the legalization of abortion on demand is not in accordance with the value which our civilization places on human life. Wanted or unwanted, I believe that human life, even at its earliest stages, has certain rights which must be recognized — the right to be born, the right to love, the right to grow old.
On the question of the individual’s freedom of choice there are easily available birth control methods and information which women may employ to prevent or postpone pregnancy. But once life has begun, no matter at what stage of growth, it is my belief that termination should not be decided merely by desire.
I share the confidence of those who feel that America is willing to care for its unwanted as well as wanted children, protecting particularly those who cannot protect themselves. i also share the opinions of those who do not accept abortion as a response to our society’s problems — an inadequate welfare system, unsatisfactory job training programs, and insufficient financial support for all its citizens.
When history looks back to this era it should recognize this generation as one which cared about human beings enough to halt the practice of war, to provide a decent living for every family, and to fulfill its responsibility to its children from the very moment of conception.
Sincerely,
Edward M. Kennedy
Kennedy knew that standing up against abortion was about willing to care for the “unwanted” who cannot protect themselves. And in one of the most tragic about-faces of the 20th century, Kennedy turned his back on those whom Cardinal Mahony praised him for defending – the powerless and the voiceless.
Update: As Pundette says: As a Catholic I pray for their souls but I wouldn’t hold either Kennedy or Mahoney up as a role model for my kids.
Thanks to Crunchy Con for the letter.
August 27, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I understand President Obama is delivering the eulogy at Kennedy's funeral. I am anxious to see how many cardinals will show up to listen to his inspiring words and sprinkle holy water on the coffin. The so-called scandal at Notre Dame will be nothing compared to that spectacle!
August 27, 2009 at 2:06 pm
It is not for me to judge about Kennedy in the afterlife, but he was a debaucher and supported abortion. If his brothers (both pro-life) had lived, would it have made a difference?
August 27, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Why is Kennedy getting a funeral mass? Isn't that merited for those who die in a state of grace. Did he not divorce and re-marry?
August 27, 2009 at 2:20 pm
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August 27, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I offered Mass at 6:30 a.m. that Kennedy might have repented before dying so that God can forgive his years of support for abortion. But if he did not repent, then I think that he should not be given a Catholic burial in accordance with the laws of the Church. Just a abortion supporters are excluded from Holy Communion during life, then it follows that they are still not in communion with the Mystical Body during death.
I don't get Card. Mahony either. The evil of 70 million abortions that were facilitated by laws supported by Kennedy is more horrible than 10 Holocausts.
August 27, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Like Senator Kennedy, like all of us, His Eminence, Roger Cardinal Mahony, has an appointment with destiny. It may behove him now to make some form of public atonement for his own public sins and not simply make a bigger jack..s out of himself than he already is. He lost any standing of respect when he went after Mother Angelica.
August 27, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Two things to consider:
Eulogies are not allowed at Catholic funeral Masses. Why does whiteboy get to give a eulogy for fatboy?
How many non-Catholics and ex-Catholics will be receiving the Body of Christ at the funeral Mass?
Conclusion: Church rules are just meaningless suggestions.
August 27, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Notice that the good cardinal said "the voiceless, the powerless and the most needy of our CITIZENS." The unborn are not yet citizens. His Eminence was very cute and cunning, but we see through the deception.
August 27, 2009 at 6:20 pm
There were times when Teddy was not a champion off the powerless:
A SOBER LOOK AT TED KENNEDY
August 27, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Okay, well this leads me on a train of thought that must pose the question: if someone has been away from the Church for a long time and was never able to reconcile, under Canon law can they receive the rite of Christian burial (e.g. a Catholic funeral Mass)?
And at the Masses I sing at, the Priest usually says something about Catholics in good standing receiving Communion, did that happen at Kennedy's funeral?
August 27, 2009 at 7:18 pm
OK, Matthew, I like your blog, but you have been a tad disingenuous. Perhaps it is your source here, but you didn't completely quote His Eminence. If you are going to attack a Prince of the Church, you should be willing to be complete in your statement.
"His deep and personal commitment to causes affecting the poor and needy among us flowed from his deep Catholic faith, and the life and outreach of Jesus Christ," said Cardinal Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles in an interview with CNS, who joined forces with Kennedy on immigration reform.
"Over the years, however, I was never able to bring him to promote fundamental rights for one important group in our society—the unborn."
Cardinal Mahoney did acknowledge that Kennedy failed to serve the unborn as he should have. You (like I) may dislike Senator Kennedy and how he conducted his life. But please be fair when you attack a Bishop or Cardinal on your blog.
August 27, 2009 at 8:15 pm
People make choices that put their souls at risk. We do no one a favour by offering rites to those who reject the Church that offers those sacred rites. If the Church fails to practice what it preaches out of some misguided sense of compassion, then more souls will be endangered. If people see the Church providing the Eucharist or funeral rites to manifest obstinate sinners, people will persist in their sinful behavior thinking that it doesn't really make a difference to strive to live a holy life or ignore Church teaching and live a sinful life.
The gate is supposed to be narrow. The faith of the martyrs is rendered meaningless if we capitulate by surrendering to the spirit of this age. In this day and on this continent we may not be put to death for our beliefs. Yet, there is a price to be paid for standing up for the unborn, natural marriage and protecting life from conception to natural death. Senator Kennedy wavered in a big way and his actions should disqualify him from a Church funeral.
Only when people see and know that the Church is really serious about people's souls will those same people take their own salvation seriously and the well being of others seriously. As it is, life is cheap, and Senator Kennedy played no small part in cheapening life.
Of course we should pray for Senator Kennedy. May God forgive him his trespasses and have mercy on those who voted Kennedy into office, thus allowing him to endanger the lives of countless innocents.
August 27, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Cardinal Sean P.O"Malley statement:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles_of_faith/2009/08/
cardinal_omalle_6.html
"Champion for the poor,the less fortunate, and those seeking a better life."
August 28, 2009 at 2:02 am
Huh? You and the con-man are on speaking terms again? Sounds pretty retarded if you ask me.
I tend to believe that just on sheer name and star-power, had Ted Kennedy stuck to his guns and church teaching on abortion, the Democratic party would have not become so radically pro-abortion.
August 28, 2009 at 2:41 am
Teddy must have written that song "I Did it My Way". His whole life was his way, I think the only time he seemed to turn to the Church was when he got ill and wanted a miracle cure. Surprised he didn't go to Lourdes too. He did not need the church when it came to his stance on abortion, or homosexual rights, or divorce, or drinking-or anything else. I do hope the man had the Last Rites, but if that did not happen then he should not have a Mass of Christian burial– if we are to follow Church teachings. A mass can be said for the repose of his soul, but that is about it. Now we will have this mockery on Saturday and show a bad example to all showing them they too can DO IT THEIR WAY and get the churches blessing. It is sad. We are running the Church by man's law, not God's.
August 28, 2009 at 2:53 am
Isn't that merited for those who die in a state of grace.
No. How would one know whether the deceased died in a state of grace anyway?
By the way, the LA Times seems to have omitted His Eminence's disappointment in Sen. Kennedy over the topic of abortion: "Over the years, however, I was never able to bring him to promote fundamental rights for one important group in our society — the unborn"
Could be stronger for sure.
August 28, 2009 at 5:12 am
Anon @ 3:25 Hmmmm…so Cardinals Mahoney and O'Malley sing praises for Kennedy. I'm sensing a distinct trend here. Let's wait until Cardinals O'shaunessey, O'Brian and Donnelly weigh in to see for sure…
August 28, 2009 at 3:32 pm
"I do hope the man had the Last Rites, but if that did not happen then he should not have a Mass of Christian burial– if we are to follow Church teachings."
He did.
August 28, 2009 at 6:35 pm
see http://www.canonlaw.info/blog.html
by Edward Peters JD JCD about the funeral question.
My husband and I were talking about all this last night and came to:
1. we will be judged as we judge
2. a baptisied Catholic is still a member of the family
3. last rights/anointing of the sick, includes confession and the senator had that sacrament.
4. sin once embraced begins, as scripture says, to speak and direct the sinner.
The more one embraces sin, the more one belives wrong thinking makes sense.
5. deep down even sinners know they have strayed
6. and #5 is why sinners are so angry with non-sinners.
Because the non-sinners must be wrong or that little voice suggesting a change of way/heart might just need to be listened to.
We all have a long way to go before we a pure enough to spend time in God's presence.
May we all allow Christ Jesus to grow in us.
August 29, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Relevant to Senator Kennedy's apostasy, I recently had occasion to research the deaths of those who were responsible for the condemnation and martyrdom of St. Thomas Moore. Those who read the books, or saw that great movie, Man for All Seasons, will remember Thomas Cromwell, who arranged his condemnation, and Richard Rovere, who perjured himself to bring it about. History records (though the movie finale did not mention) that both chose to die in the good graces of the Church.
I did not like Teddy Kennedy. I did not know him, but knew many who did. The one thing on which they all agreed (which you would never gather from press coverage, but could easily confirm from the press who covered him) was that he was mentally weak and easily led. When such people are prominent and copiously "advised", they are often only marginally responsible for their own actions. Let us hope that, at the end, Senator Kennedy found the God he professed to believe in all along.