The Death of Kennedy and Disillusionment of Catholicism

When Senator Ted Kennedy died, the media was all over the story, and understandably so. Few public figures have been so notable as the Kennedy family, especially with the assassinations of Ted's two brothers - John (while serving as President) and Robert (while serving as Senator). Obviously the deaths of John and Robert were sudden and unexpected. But such was not the case with Senator Kennedy. He knew that he was dying from brain cancer and did not have long to live.

So the Senator sought to get ready for his dying day. He wrote a private appeal to Pope Benedict XVI in July - a letter that was hand-delivered by President Obama - in which Senator Kennedy requested a final papal blessing. Cardinal McCarrick - a close friend of Kennedy - read the appeal during the memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery on August 29. Here's what Senator Kennedy wrote in part:

I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith, I have tried to right my path. I want you to know, Your Holiness, that in my nearly 50 years of elective office, I have done my best to champion the rights of the poor and open doors of economic opportunity. I've worked to welcome the immigrant, fight discrimination and expand access to health care and education. I have opposed the death penalty and fought to end war....

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.

The Cardinal proceeded to read excerpts from the Pope's response, keeping some parts private. Yet here's how it ended:

Commending you and the members of your family to the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Father cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of wisdom, comfort and strength in the Lord.

In Senator Kennedy's appeal we see the basis for his plea, and that is the good works he did or at least attempted to do. In the first paragraph alone, there are nearly a dozen references to himself ("I" or "my") and none to God, let alone Jesus Christ.

Compare Senator Kennedy's appeal - made to the Pope - versus Augustus Toplady's appeal to the Lord Jesus Christ:

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Catholicism saves no one; Christ alone can. Jesus - not Mary - is the one Mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5). The Pope is powerless to grant what God alone can give through personal faith in Christ who redeemed us to God by His blood. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).

Don't die in a state of delusion. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." (Acts 16:31).