…because at that moment, it ceased being a memorial and became a political event.

Assuming other political crap didn’t happen before that. I wasn’t interested in seeing it.

I think I made the right choice.

It’s a Kennedy. And I’ve run through about a dozen comment possibilities, all of which would get me banned. Let me just say that every time I see a Kennedy I’m tempted to rethink my positions on both abortion and infanticide.

embarrassment at all because one would have to have morals to feel nauseated at that pure political use of a child. If a Republican EVER did that they would be DRUMMED out of the party. LIBERALS are the worst of humanity.

I was noticing one of Teddy’s grandkids, Ted Kennedy, III. That kid was sorely in need of a haircut and he looked just like Kinison.

Then on one of the channels, might have been Fox News, they were saying that maybe this is the kid who could take his grandfather’s place as head of the family, some day. Jesus.

My New Testament doesn’t seem to have a verse where we’re called to help using other people’s money. And if we’re going to use the WWJD argument …fine…if it’s WWJD…time to open up prayer in school, stop abortions, teach abstinence, and on, and on. Our current system is based somewhat on the Hippocratic Oath. It is about life. And that’s even at risk.

this time their conduct would differ from what was exhibited during the Wellstone Memorial?

and just now took the time to watch the video. It made my jaw drop. I’d like to say I’m stunned but I guess I’m really not.

It boggles the mind when they do it but they keep on doing it because they have no MORALS and cannot sense this is DISGUSTING!

For the promotion thingie. Very much appreciated and I’m honored.

Lori

As a conservative practicing Catholic I see nothing wrong with these petitions. The prayers of petition are part of the Mass where the congregation asks the Lord to answer prayers. It’s ok to ask for these things. The Lord will know how to respond. He handles billions of prayers daily. Surely, tens of millions of them are contradictory.

At a funeral mass it is entirely appropriate to pray for the intentions of the deceased. It is also common for children to read the intercessions. As a child I did so myself.

The phrasing of health care as right vs. privilege in that petition does not necessarily mean universal government-run health care. The statement is consistent with the teachings of the Church. Indeed, I believe that capitalism through the free market is the most effective manner to deliver the right of health care to the people, just as it has delievered the rights to food, clothing, and shelter, as called for in Church teaching.

I have not listened to Obama’s eulogy, so I cannot comment on that. And I am sure that the media and Democrats will try to manipulate these prayers to suit their purposes. Nevertheless, I see nothing wrong with them. Even liberals have the right to

It’s not like they petitioned for universal access to abortion and euthenasia. That would have been scandalous.

“It’s not like they petitioned for universal access to abortion and euthenasia. That would have been scandalous.”

The petition is for health care for all. It does not call for the passage of any particular bill. Indeed, healing the sick is a duty charged to the Church by Christ.

Often enough, there will be a petition for world peace. And when that happens, the conservatives in the congregation don’t flee the church protesting the dismantling of missile defense. They say, “Lord, hear our prayer.” in the hopes that there will be world peace.

I would also like to add that it is normal during the intercessions for the last petition to state something like “and we also ask for your intercession for that which we pray silently for now.” So although the cameras did not catch it, there were likely many prayers on behalf of the unborn, elderly, sick, dying, deceased, and perhaps even a few for Mary Joe Kopechne.

I know that the health care debate has riled us all up. But before we rush to condemn the Kennedy funeral as another Wellstone memorial, I hope that the non-Catholics, lapsed Catholics, and poorly cathechised Catholics, will make an effort to understand the role of petitions in the liturgy of the mass.

Speaking of which, I’m off to the Cathedral downtown. I wager that Senator Kennedy will be mentioned in the petitions this evening.

Let’s set aside this event, and focus on defeating bad legislation and promoting solutions based upon liberty.