Ted Kennedy leaves mixed Catholic legacy :: Catholic News Agency (CNA)

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Ted Kennedy leaves mixed Catholic legacy

Comments: 24

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy

Boston, Mass., Aug 26, 2009 / 01:01 pm (CNA).- Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) passed away last night at the age of 77 after a battle with brain cancer. Kennedy, a Catholic, will be remembered for his service to the poor, and dedication to education but also his opposition to pro-life issues.

After a long struggle with brain cancer, last night Sen. Kennedy took a turn for the worse while at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. Surrounded by his family members and a priest, Fr. Patrick Tarrant, he passed away around 11:30 p.m.

Fr. Tarrant told BostonChannel.com that Kennedy died while his family prayed. “They'd been praying all day, and it was a wonderful experience for me. I don't see it that often," Tarrant said.

Kennedy, known as “Ted” was the younger brother of both U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Sen. (D-NY) Robert Kennedy who were both assassinated in the 1960s. Their sister, Eunice Kennedy Schriver, who was lauded by the pro-life community died exactly two weeks ago at the age of 88.

The family released a statement following his death saying, “We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever.”

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the Archbishop of Boston also emphasized Kennedy’s devotion to social work as well as his loving family who “stood by his side” as he “faced his illness with courage, dignity and strength.”

“For nearly half a century, Senator Kennedy was often a champion for the poor, the less fortunate and those seeking a better life. Across Massachusetts and the nation, his legacy will be carried on through the lives of those he served,” the cardinal said in a statement.

Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C. also offered his condolences to Kennedy’s family and emphasized the senator’s commitments to “alleviating poverty” as well as his strong support of the area’s Catholic schools.

Wuerl recalled that for five years, the senator and Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) organized a dinner to benefit the schools. “As a result, thousands of disadvantaged children in the District of Columbia have had their lives transformed through a quality Catholic education."

Both Wuerl and O’Malley offered to pray for the repose of Kennedy’s soul and that his family may find strength in Christ.

Kennedy's political aspirations were curtailed by an incident in 1969, when he accidentally drove his car off a bridge on Chappaquiddick island in Massachusetts. While Kennedy was able to escape from the car, his passenger, 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne could not free herself and drowned.

Kennedy did not report the accident until nearly nine hours later.

With so many questions as to why he waited to contact the police as well as with his fragmented account of the incident, his aspirations for the U.S. presidency remained unfulfilled.

Kennedy was involved in other controversies. As a Catholic, though he worked hard for the poor, he was criticized by bishops and pro-life leaders for supporting Roe v. Wade, the use of fetal tissue in experiments and for voting against a ban on partial-birth abortion.

Although he did not support legalized abortion early in his political career, he later earned a 100% NARAL Pro-Choice America rating. In contrast, Kennedy was rated as voting 0% of the time on pro-life issues.

Sen. Ted Kennedy will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery next to his brothers John and Robert.

Comments: 24

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Ethel Leone
Elk Grove, Ca, USA 09/08/2009 12:10 AM EST

I have read the comments above I agree with one we should not judge. I am ashamed of the Bishops,etc.,fear and admiration of the Kennedy name,know- ing of the family scandals.But most of all their pro-abortion views and votes. They too will be judged and literally may God have mercy on their souls! They are cowards and terrible examples of how wealth and name recognition will earn you rewards in their eyes.

Published by: Rosa
Orange 09/03/2009 09:22 PM EST

Bush and Cheney are diabolical!!! Kennedy followed scripture. Get it right!!! Greedy Republicans...the poor shall inherit the earth!!

Published by: Joe Gayda
USA 09/03/2009 02:25 PM EST

Because he disagreed with the Church on Abortion and Gay rights, nothing else he did matters? Catholic Libertarianism is far more oxymoronic than Pro-Choice Catholic. Most of the bishops understand that fact, and recognize that despite the certainty of many Catholics, the personhood of the pre-born is hardly clear cut to many Americans. Sen. Kennedy was quite devoted to helping those whose personhood could not be denied,those who were born, in spite of political opposition. That is something one cannot say about many Pro-Life politicians.

Published by: Z
NY 09/02/2009 01:48 AM EST

I never thought he was a Catholic, was he?

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe 08/30/2009 09:46 AM EST

He was not Pro-Life so he did not protect the most vulnerable in society.

Published by: Apollo
Hillside, NJ, USA 08/29/2009 05:09 PM EST

Ted Kennedy has by this time already had Eternal Sentence passed upon him by the only One whose judgement really matters. I can only hope that he underwent a most sincere repentance before he literally breathed his very last as the All-Merciful God rejects no one who makes an appeal to His Divine Mercy.

Published by: Mike
Clarion, PA 08/29/2009 02:24 PM EST

Kennedy spent the last days of his life trying to manipulate the process to fill his senate seat to make sure the democrats could ram an abortion bill disguised as health care reform through the congress. There is no evidence that he ever recanted. In fact he lent his name to this abortion bill so the evidence is to the contrary....that he never intended to recant his abortion views.

There is no reason to assume that he confessed to this sin or that the Priest gave him absolution.

Published by: dee
nc 08/28/2009 08:16 PM EST

Ted Kennedy died a multi-millionaire. He took the taxpayers money to further his causes. He thought it was fine to use our money to fund all of his agenda while he gave none. Everything he did was for his own purpose. He was not a humanitarian or an honorable person. He cannot call himself a real Catholic either. If he recanted all of his errors while on his deathbed, this would be great, but we will never know because his family or the media will never admit it because then this would bring harm to their liberal causes.

Published by: William James, PhD
Sacramento/CA/USA 08/27/2009 04:52 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

Although 23% of Americans are Roman Catholic, only 7.6% attend mass every Sunday. Of the 7.6%, most reject the magisterial teachings on artificial contraception, pre-marital sex, and divorce. Like Senator Kennedy, many support legalized abortion and "gay" marriage. The ones who do not attend Sunday mass are probably even more at variance with the Magisterium. Thus, while I object to the Church honoring Senator Kennedy on the occasion of his death, my objection is tempered by the belief that our bishops would be more assertive if their position were only stronger. We Catholics need a game-changer. I have noticed that priests from developing nations are often more likeley to bear witness to the fullness of the Faith than are their Western counterparts. Someday the first pope from a developing nation may well be our game-changer. . . .

Published by: Laurie Biszko
Tiverton , RI USA 08/27/2009 02:58 PM EST

What a paradox it is to see the legacy of a man who did so much to alleviate the plight of so many marginalized members of society; yet, he failed to recognize the dignity of the unborn. His lack of understanding of this basic truth remains a mystery only known to him and Our God. Let us pray for him and for all who continue to support abortion and stem cell research. May he intercede for their conversion. Imagine, he has seen the face of God and surely knows the errors of his ways. I bet he would love to go back and change his votes!

Published by: Mary
Phoenix, AZ, USA 08/27/2009 11:48 AM EST

It may be that God will allow Ted Kennedy to work for the protection of the unborn from wherever he is now that he has no excuse to know the truth. Kennedy could be used as a great ally, perhaps from Purgatory.

Published by: Chris Roberts
Mercer Island, WA 08/27/2009 11:34 AM EST

I think giving Kennedy a Catholic funeral is scandalous given his 100% abortion stance which is contrary to Catholic moral teaching and is always intrinsically evil.

Published by: Thomas Casey
Buffalo WY 08/27/2009 11:33 AM EST

Can there be anything more spineless than the average bishop or cardinal???

Upon reflection, yes. a congressman.

The more I see of each the more I like my dog.

Published by: rita
houston/tx/usa 08/27/2009 10:53 AM EST

Personally, I believe many of the Kennedy family have done great harm to the Church with their abortion stance. To this point I would question Mr. Kennedy’s right to a Catholic funeral. Mr. Edward Peters, JD, JDC, gives his analysis and the reasons he believes Mr. Kennedy may have a Catholic funeral based on Church law on his blog--1983 CIC 1184.

Published by: Deacon Jim
Wisconsin 08/27/2009 10:31 AM EST

He and the Kennedy family deserve or prayers at this time. Perhaps in his struggle for life they can support the faith of the Church and promote life issues.

There are questions though:

1 – Did he repent for his actions in the death of Mary Jo Kopechne? He never faced civil judgment in this life.

1 – Did he ever receive a “Declaration of Nullity” (annulment) from his marriage to Joan?

2 – Did he repent of supporting abortion in direct opposition to the Church?

3 – Did he ever repent of supporting Gay “Marriage”?

I pray he at least repented of these on his deathbed. At least let us speak of him truthfully, the good and the bad.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Published by: dLL
scituate Mass. USA 08/26/2009 09:00 PM EST

THE BIG KAHUNA LIBRAL DEMOCRAT and very pro abortion,is gone. He should have given up his senate seat 1 year ago when he found out that he was terminal. I feel sorry for his generation and my own as they tried and failed to separate faith in God from public service real life issues. This is impossible as God defines all that we all are.

Published by: NG
NJ 08/26/2009 08:13 PM EST

I often wonder why its that because of ones political ties one is often exalted and praised by Americans alike. It has been said that this man was a hero and a leader to many. Although we mourn over the loss of one of Gods children and our sympathy is with the family, this man wasnt a Godly leader or advocate of faith. He grossly supported some of the most liberal pro abortion agendas. Voting against a ban on partial birth murder never makes anyone a hero but a coward. If America exalts a man who could of played an active role in saving the lives of babies but instead helped to their demise, we might as well exalt Hitler for his actions.

Published by: Robert Lockwood
Lafayette, CA 08/26/2009 07:17 PM EST

There is no mixed legacy about him - he and his entire family have professed to be Catholic and simply were not. As a lifelong politican (he never ever held a job where he EARNED his pay), he simply used every means possible to further the liberal socialist ajenda, (exceeded only by our current president. It is always a sad day when anyone dies but Mr. Kennedy, through his lifetime, has done more damage to the United States of America than anyone else - all the while calling himself a Catholic - with two living wives no less.

Published by: KENNEDY FAMILY
Melbourne Australia 08/26/2009 06:43 PM EST

Please remember the Senator for all the good works he did for so many , for so many years, and for both his care and devotion to his entire Kennedy family! Please have some heart too for a family that has publicy had to endure so much tragedy in their lives! so R.I.P Senator Ted and heartfelt condolences to ALL the Kennedy family USA and those that knew you as a friend! Always to be remembered, never ever forgotten forever in the hearts of so many and happily now with so many of your beloved family that have gone before you.

Published by: sam
irving 08/26/2009 06:17 PM EST

God bless his soul,he lived to serve mankind inspite of his weaknesses as a human being,as we all do.The challenge is on us now to carry on his torch to serve our fellow man in whatever capacity in society and more importantly to realize that any of us can do alot of good for America and the world. I also admire his family life and the firm faith they have continually upheld,exhibiting the truth that a few issues like abortion should not get between our belief in God and our souls regardless of the judgement you get from fellow man.Ultimately ,God is the judge of us all,not a few fire spitting fellows,who most likely care less for the living and have no regard for the least in the community. God rest his soul in peace.Thanks Ted and the whole of this exemplary Irish family who continually inspire millions in America and throughout the world.All the while ,being proud and true to the catholic faith.( Inspite of the rabid discrimination and defamation the catholics have had to endure especially in the early history of America by the system and the protestants)

Published by: James
Alex., VA, USA 08/26/2009 06:01 PM EST

I was not a supporter of Sen. Kennedy nor of many of his policies. Nonetheless, I do not presume to judge.

Published by: GFM
ST. Louis, MO 08/26/2009 05:20 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

Many members of the Kennedy family have been extremely harmful to pro-life efforts and pro-family efforts in this country. He was not even close to exemplary in his faith or application of his faith to public affairs and many of the younger generation in the Kennedys are following in his footsteps.

Published by: Frank G Heron
Quarryville, PA 08/26/2009 05:12 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

My prayer is that he had opportunity to make a really good confession before his death. No doubt our totally spinless bishops will laud and praise this kennedy katholic despite his contineous thumbing of his nose at church teaching. Their lamintations will also include a funeral and burial like unto a true prince of the church...his church of which the bishops are so terrified.

Published by: Thorn
austin, texas 08/26/2009 03:02 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

I wonder if Fr.Tarrant asked him to recant his public pro-abortion position before giving him absolution.

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com