Kennedy's Funeral Further Damages the Church's Credibility

humanevents.com ^ | 08/28/2009 | Rev. Michael P. Orsi

[kellynla]

There is much truth to the adage that many of our wounds are self inflicted. This has been especially true for the Catholic Church in the United States and the Archdiocese of Boston in particular. Recall that the clergy sex abuse scandal first came to light there because of their egregious nature and the laxity of the then Archbishop Bernard Cardinal Law in handling them. According to statistics the Church is still reeling from the aftershocks.

On Wednesday the Church further diminished her credibility when it was announced that a Mass of Christian Burial would be celebrated for Senator Edward M. Kennedy at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica. It was also announced that President Barack Obama would be the eulogist.

Senator Kennedy, along with President Obama have been the most pro-abortion and pro-embryonic stem cell research politicians in the nation. As a matter of fact, Senator Kennedy refused to vote for Supreme Court nominees Robert Bork and Samuel Alito for fear their appointment might lead to overturning Roe v. Wade. These positions are inimical to Catholic Church teaching and throughout the years, the American hierarchy has railed against Catholic politicians such as Kennedy who hold such views. Some bishops have even advised them not to receive Holy Communion -- an action just short of excommunication.

In recent days the spin-doctors have done their best to portray Senator Kennedy as a devout Catholic. Stories of his visits to church in order to pray for his ailing daughter Kara, a cancer survivor, and reports of his personal religiosity have been widely circulated. The media has also noted numerous visits by priests to the Kennedys’ home during his illness for the administration of the sacraments, presumably including confession and even the celebration of a private Mass in Kennedys’ living room. There is no report, however, of repudiation of his voting record or sorrow for his obstinate refusal to adhere to Catholic morality on two of the most important life issues. An important part of the Sacrament of Penance, along with sorrow for sin, is to try to repair the damages that our sins have caused. Certainly, enough time had elapsed between the diagnosis of the Senator’s terminal illness and his death for him to make amends and to alleviate some of the scandal. Yet, there is no indication that this has happened.

A Mass of Christian Burial is a privilege -- not a right. It is for those who have lived a Christian life. Senator Kennedy’s scandalous disregard of his Church’s teaching and the destruction of human life that may be attributed to his voting record make his funeral celebration quite dubious. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to evil… and that it takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it”(n. 2284-85). For such a person the Code of Canon Law says, “Church funeral rites are to be denied to the following (unless they gave some sign of repentance before death): manifest sinners to whom a Church funeral could not be granted without public scandal to the faithful” (c. 1184.3). How many Catholics have been led astray by Senator Kennedy and other prominent pro-choice Catholics? And, finally, how many other Catholic politicians will be emboldened to emulate his behavior because the honor the Church is extending to him?

Some will argue that the Church, by its very nature, always gives the benefit of the doubt to the sinner. Yet, even such an act of charity calls for a pastoral solution so as not to mislead others and cause greater harm. In this case, a subdued funeral service should be offered for the repose of Senator Kennedy’s soul. It should be made clear that, as it is the purpose of every Catholic funeral, the Mass is being celebrated to beg God’s mercy for the deceased. But, then even this solution would be meaningless when the nation’s most pro-choice president ever is permitted to eulogize his ideological soul mate in the Church’s sanctuary. Imagine the accolades that will be lavished on the Senator Kennedy’s character and career!

The Church’s credibility has once again been undermined by the hierarchy of the Church in Boston. This scandal is even bigger than the one enabled by Cardinal Law because of its bad message and long ranging implications.

[metesky]

The K-Klans original "inside man".

[Charles H. (The_r0nin)]

As if this is new...

Second Clown
Will you ha' the truth on't? If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have been buried out o' Christian burial.

First Clown
Why, there thou say'st: and the more pity that great folk should have countenance in this world to drown or hang themselves, more than their even Christian.

[NYer]

The Church’s credibility has once again been undermined by the hierarchy of the Church in Boston. This scandal is even bigger than the one enabled by Cardinal Law because of its bad message and long ranging implications.

The topic of the funeral was addressed last night on EWTN's live program The World Over Live. One guest, Fr. Sirico of the Acton Institute, stated very much the same thing as this article. He noted, however, that Cardinal O'Malley will not be officiating, nor will the funeral be held in the Cathedral. As to the eulogy to be delivered by Obama, Fr. Sirico noted that in the GIRM (General Instructions of the Roman Missal), eulogies are forbidden during the Mass. Any eulogy may only be delivered after the service has been concluded. He also noted that having Obama deliver a eulogy at the Kennedy funeral was scandalous.

One caller also pointed out that there will be many government appointed and/or elected CINOs at this funeral mass who will bring additional scandal by presenting themselves for communion. One can only wonder how this will be handled.

Catholic Ping
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[WVKayaker]

1 Corinthians 5

1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature[a] may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." - NIV

[b4its2late]

Even more reasons for why I stopped going...

[kellynla]

“A Mass of Christian Burial is a privilege — not a right. It is for those who have lived a Christian life. Senator Kennedy’s scandalous disregard of his Church’s teaching and the destruction of human life that may be attributed to his voting record make his funeral celebration quite dubious. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to evil… and that it takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it”(n. 2284-85). For such a person the Code of Canon Law says, “Church funeral rites are to be denied to the following (unless they gave some sign of repentance before death): manifest sinners to whom a Church funeral could not be granted without public scandal to the faithful” (c. 1184.3). How many Catholics have been led astray by Senator Kennedy and other prominent pro-choice Catholics? And, finally, how many other Catholic politicians will be emboldened to emulate his behavior because the honor the Church is extending to him?”

[kellynla]

Thank you for the post.

I forwarded the info to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

[kellynla]

“Paul Castellano, then head of the Gambino Mafia “family” was denied a Catholic funeral by John Cardinal O’Connor on the basis that a Church funeral would be a scandal.”

Thanks. I didn’t know that.

Semper Fi,
Kellly

[kellynla]

11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you."

Thank you for reminding us.

[AUTiger83]

11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

Wow . . . kinda says it all. I had always thought Paul was talking about me (and he is, for those of you who aren't sure if I'm joking or not), since I'm guilty of all of those at one time or the other in some form. But Teddy . . . he's like the poster child for this verse.

Since Teddy claims to be a member of the church, he is subject to our judgements about his behavior (we can't judge his heart, but we can judge his actions). And I see NO evidence that he has ever repented of a lifelong effort to give this nation over to the Devil. He has used Catholicism as a mask to disguise himself. I'm amazed at how many people actually fall for such a cheap, transparently fake disguise.

Most people know that Teddy was no devout believer in God and the risen Savior. Instead, they are willing to publicly proclaim his piety as part of their agenda to lead the US from God. God must truly be disgusted by our nation.

[kellynla]

"However, is Father Orsi forgetting this?"

It appears that you have forgotten this.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to evil… and that it takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it”(n. 2284-85). For such a person the Code of Canon Law says, “Church funeral rites are to be denied to the following (unless they gave some sign of repentance before death): manifest sinners to whom a Church funeral could not be granted without public scandal to the faithful” (c. 1184.3).

And, for starters, I don't recall hearing Ted Kennedy EVER make a public announcement that he regretted the years he spent in the U.S. Senate voting for abortion "rights". Do you?

[DHC-2]

I disagree with Edward Kennedy’s political stands on everything. But I cannnot judge the state of his soul.

But you can always "Hope".

[kellynla]

Well said!

And ALL the other “Catholics” in Congress present & past who have voted for “abortion rights” for the past quarter century are equally guilty.

[utahagen]

The latest word is that Cardinal O’Malley will be presiding at Kennedy's funeral.

[utahagen]

Let's hope that kook in the Vatican who often pops-off about social justice nonsense keeps his trap shut about Kennedy.

[AKA Elena]

I used your link and sent the following:

Date: Saturday, August 29, 2009, 8:37 am
Thank You : name and e-mail
Message:

The celebration of Life which is being offered in the Requiem Mass for Edward Kennedy, with concelebration with His Eminence Cardinal O'Malley and a eulogy from the pulpit of the Basislica by the most anti-life president we have ever had to endure ... gives great scandal and shame to me and to all other Catholics, who believe and adhere to the message of God and fight daily for instatement of the Moral Absolutes -- LIFE and the FULFILLMENT of GOD's Law and God's Laws of Nature in the USA.

Edward Kennedy was a person who spent his political capital in seeing that these laws were stood on their head and inflicted his own lack of morality on the rest of us, from the young days of Chappaquidick to and through the years and years of support for the liberal mantras which believe in the killing of the unborn and the support of those who practice homosexuality and his fighting for laws to uphold these scandalous and evil infections of America.

I feel sullied by the Church's participation in glorifying this man, who stood for all of the UN-Catholic precepts there can be. How terribly tragic that you all participate in this event and become party to his depravation.

May the Holy Innocents (40,000,000 and counting) pray for all of you who are supportive of their murder in your edifying Edward Kennedy.

A quiet and private Mass would have been acceptable and correct ... you cannot excuse your support through your own participation.

May the Holy Spirit Enlighten You.

[utahagen]

No one can judge Kennedy's soul. The issue here is whether a publicy broadcast funeral Mass presided over by a Cardinal is appropriate when the deceased spent decades championing legal abortion.

[kellynla]

IMO, the issue is that Kennedy NEVER recanted his support and votes in the Senate for “abortion rights.” PERIOD

[kellynla]

Excellent!

Thank you for taking the time to write and excellent letter!

God Bless you!

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[don-o]

ping to 20.