Kennedy's poignant letter to Pope

Admits he has been 'imperfect' and asks for prayer

KELLY FINCHAM,

IrishCentral.Com Editor

Published Sunday, August 30, 2009, 9:52 AM

Updated Tuesday, September 1, 2009, 9:24 PM

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The burial of Senator Edward Kennedy at Arlington in Virginia

"I have always tried to be a faithful Catholic, Your Holiness, and though I have fallen short through human failings, I have never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings of my faith. I continue to pray for God's blessings on you and on our church and would be most thankful for your prayers for me."

Kennedy received a reply from the Vatican two weeks later although not from the Pope himself.

The Vatican said Pope Benedict "was saddened to know of your illness and asked me to assure you of his concern and his spiritual closeness".

Benedict asked that Kennedy "may be sustained in faith and hope and granted the precious grace of joyful surrender to the will of God.

"Commending you and the members of your family to the loving intervention of the blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Father cordially imparts his apostolic blessing as a pledge of wisdom, comfort and strength in the Lord."

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Spiritranger | Feb 19, 2010, 11:30 AM EST

poignant or pointless? Jesus said "repent and believe the Gospel", "unless you repent you will likewise perish", and "you must be born again." Christian repentance means more than just a feeling of shame or sorrow over sin. I pray for his family. God help us all to repent and believe.

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tullamore | Nov 29, 2009, 08:56 AM EST

His fate rests with God, not the Popes and not ours.Unfortunately his bad decisions stand out in in our minds and we forgot the good that he did accomplish.

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liseuxx | Nov 24, 2009, 09:02 AM EST

Notice that the Vatican NEVER made a public statement of mourning on Ted Kennedy's death. But when his sister Eunice died earlier, Pope Benedict sent out a statement on her life giving glory to Christ.

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MaryWaterton | Nov 22, 2009, 05:50 PM EST

While he was alive he gleefully and willfully broke every law in God's Book, everything from abortion to homosexual marriage. I hope the undertaker had the good sense to bury Ted Kennedy in an asbestos suit.

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texasannie | Nov 11, 2009, 08:16 PM EST

today is veteran's day, november 11, to all veterans i wish you the best and a heartfelt thanks for the service you have given, texasannie

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texasannie | Nov 11, 2009, 08:12 PM EST

hi there! concerning this portion of ted's letter, it is not up to me to be his final judge and jury, however, i do have an opinion.....seems he admits he was a member of a family who had a very active faith..and he CHOSE to mock that faith with his decions in government and even his personal lifestyle.....and now that it is evident he will be "meeting his maker" he would like a kind word from the pope on his behalf.... Catholics should not push for abortion in any shape or form...and since i am a staunch conservative in my political belief and ted was a liberal, i also think just doing things for the advantage of any minority regardless if it hurts another group of people or not is not always the best thing to do....he had what i call rich boy guilt, it would have been better if he gave away some of his wealth instead of "ours".

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