I disagreed with most of Kennedy's politics -- he was right on the "No Child Left Behind."
But -- We have no idea if Senator Kennedy had a deathbed re-conversion. We cannot judge.
Beginning Catholic: The Anointing of the Sick: Comfort and Healing [Ecumenical]
I disagree.
His funeral was scandal for 3 reasons.
1. That grave matters such as abortion, sodomy and the destruction of the traditional family are not such grave issues if Catholics like Kennedy can publicly champion them w/o being censured by the Church.
2. That Catholics are allowed to live their lives, with impunity, in enmity with God and at war with His Church until their final days.
3. That all that is necessary for the salvation of such sinners is the act of Confession (as opposed to a sincere Confession made possible by a miraculous, special grace from God).