Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston on Wednesday (Sept. 2) defended his attendance at the funeral of Sen. Ted Kennedy, a prominent dissenter from Catholic teachings on gay rights and legalized abortion.
O'Malley wrote on his blog that it was "appropriate to represent the church at this liturgy out of respect for the senator, his family, those who attended Mass" and others praying for the Kennedys. "We are people of faith and we believe in a loving and forgiving God from whom we seek mercy," the cardinal continued.
The funeral for Kennedy, who died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 77, was held last Saturday at Boston's Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, where the late senator regularly prayed after his daughter was diagnosed with cancer.
Conservative Catholics have said the church sends mixed messages by protesting Kennedy's stance on gay issues and abortion for years, but allowing him to have a Catholic funeral. Judie Brown of the American Life League said: "Spitting on Christ himself at his crucifixion could not have been any more disdainful than what we witnessed Saturday."
"There are those who objected, in some cases vociferously, to the church's providing a Catholic funeral for the senator," O'Malley wrote on his blog. "In the strongest terms I disagree with that position."
Changing abortion laws requires changing minds, O'Malley wrote, which becomes more difficult if the church alienates people. "We will not change hearts by turning away from people in their time of need and when they are experiencing grief and loss," the cardinal wrote.
O'Malley also called on Catholics to tone down some of the heated rhetoric on abortion. "At times, even in the church, zeal can lead people to issue harsh judgments and impute the worst motives to each other. These attitudes and practices do irreparable damage to the communion of the church," he said. –US Today
O'Malley wrote on his blog that it was "appropriate to represent the church at this liturgy out of respect for the senator, his family, those who attended Mass" and others praying for the Kennedys. "We are people of faith and we believe in a loving and forgiving God from whom we seek mercy," the cardinal continued.
The funeral for Kennedy, who died Aug. 25 from brain cancer at age 77, was held last Saturday at Boston's Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, where the late senator regularly prayed after his daughter was diagnosed with cancer.
Conservative Catholics have said the church sends mixed messages by protesting Kennedy's stance on gay issues and abortion for years, but allowing him to have a Catholic funeral. Judie Brown of the American Life League said: "Spitting on Christ himself at his crucifixion could not have been any more disdainful than what we witnessed Saturday."
"There are those who objected, in some cases vociferously, to the church's providing a Catholic funeral for the senator," O'Malley wrote on his blog. "In the strongest terms I disagree with that position."
Changing abortion laws requires changing minds, O'Malley wrote, which becomes more difficult if the church alienates people. "We will not change hearts by turning away from people in their time of need and when they are experiencing grief and loss," the cardinal wrote.
O'Malley also called on Catholics to tone down some of the heated rhetoric on abortion. "At times, even in the church, zeal can lead people to issue harsh judgments and impute the worst motives to each other. These attitudes and practices do irreparable damage to the communion of the church," he said. –US Today
As a Catholic, I feel Ted Kennedy was entitled to a Catholic Funeral. Was his stance on abortion in communion with the church? No. but, do we know what was in the mans heart before he died? Do we know what he confessed between he and his confesser? No to both of these questions. Did I agree with Ted Kennedy's politics? Most times, no. Am I staunch supporter of life,yes I am. I am completely against abortion. Am I in communion with the church? As of this moment no I am not but plan to be soon, hopefully. The only thing I disagree with the Cardinal on is his saying that Catholics should tone down their zeal for the Pro Life Movement.. Seems to me Cardinal needs to rethink that. As Catholics, as Christians we respect life from the moment of conception to the moment of death and we MUST put a stop to abortion. It's murder.. There is no such thing as "Pro choice" its pro murder. So thats my only disagreement. As lay people we must not even attempt to judge the heart of man (or woman) thats Gods job. The church knows when one should and should not be allowed to receive one of our blessed sacraments and should be left to those who know about it. I pray that God had mercy on Ted Kennedy's sole and I pray that Mr Kennedy was repentent before he passed away....
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