[redhead]

The generalization is too sweeping. The Catholic Church has not changed its position, nor will it just to accommodate the funeral of a sinner. The responsibility lies with the archdiocese of Boston. And, if Kennedy went to confession and confessed his sins, received absolution and communion, he died in a state of grace, and would be entitled to a Catholic funeral Mass.

[Steelfish]

This is true. We are all delivered to the mercy of God and we pray at Mass, “look not on my sins, but on the faith of thy Holy Church” and faith shared by saints, and holy men and women of orders in churches,convents and monasteries is solid as the rock of Gibraltar.

[babygene]

“And, if Kennedy went to confession and confessed his sins, received absolution and communion, he died in a state of grace, and would be entitled to a Catholic funeral Mass.”

I would think that part of the penance for absolution would include, since he was very public with his views, would be to renounce them publicly. Being a Catholic for all these years, anything less would be heresy, IMHO.

I for one, will loose an awful lot of respect for my Church if theu honer him...

[Bellflower]

I would think that truth seeking Catholics would begin to realize that there is not a “Vicar of Christ” on earth. If Popes were/are they would use their authority to not allow unconfessed murderers and upholders of homosexuality the Catholic Church rites. If I were Catholic I think I would be greatly burdened by the abundant inconsistensies of the Catholic Church and it's doctrines and begin to question it's authority and it's doctrines.

[Mr. Wright]

Divorced? Pro Abortion? I thought this guy had been excommunicated years ago. What is wrong with the Catholic
heirarchy? Were they bought off like Dominic Arena and the Kopechne’s?

[Mr. Wright]

Divorced? Pro Abortion? I thought this guy had been excommunicated years ago. What is wrong with the Catholic
heirarchy? Were they bought off like Dominic Arena and the Kopechne’s?

[Mr. Wright]

Divorced? Pro Abortion? I thought this guy had been excommunicated years ago. What is wrong with the Catholic
heirarchy? Were they bought off like Dominic Arena and the Kopechne’s?

[maryz]

I'm from Boston and there has been no mention in the local media of who will be saying the Mass. Also, I go to daily Mass, and there has been no mention of Kennedy this week (three different priests), not offering the Mass for him, no mention by name in the Petitions -- though the pastor did offer one petition that politicians who claim to be Christian should start acting that way. (I think our pastor is fairly close to the Cardinal; he holds some kind of Archdiocese position in addition to being our pastor.)

The funeral Mass is to be at Mission Church, and I'm unclear as to its status within the Archdiocese. It does function as a parish, with parish boundaries, but it's not staffed by diocesan priests -- it's always been staffed by the Redemptorists, and I wonder if the Order actually has ownership rights.