What does a member of the flock do when their shepherd is attacked for doing exactly what that shepherd should be doing?
Last week, Bishop Robert Morlino of the Diocese of Madison, WI, wrote an article that provided a response to concerns that were expressed by some about the Catholic funeral for Senator Edward Kennedy. A good number of people in the Diocese of Madison and across the nation have expressed that Bishop Morlino's article provides an incredibly pastoral message about the infinite mercy God has for those that are open to and seek such mercy. There is also a fair number of folks in the Catholic blogoshpere that have loudly expressed outrage that a Roman Catholic bishop would put forth the possibility that Senator Kennedy may have sought and received God's mercy - and that a Catholic funeral was very appropriate. I cannot help but offer some final words about this controversy.
Using a format of which Bishop Morlino would approve for providing my reflection, I have three points:
1. A True Pastoral Message Often Makes Those That Need It Most Uncomfortable
Bishop Morlino's article in no way attacks anyone. To see the article from the Catholic Herald, go to:
http://www.madisoncatholicherald.org/bishop/13-bishopcolumn/864-gods-mercy-and-senator-edward-kennedy.html
All Bishop Morlino does in the article is present the teaching of the Church as it relates to the mercy of God. He then presents a general theme of some of the concerns expressed about Senator Kennedy's funeral. He leaves it up to the reader to "connect the dots" by asking the question, "Does the reaction jibe with Church teaching?" Connecting the dots obviously made some people uncomfortable - as it should. However, rather than doing some internal reflection about the reason for their discomfort, some people have attacked Bishop Morlino and his message about the infinite mercy of God. Bishop Morlino was doing what any shepherd of the Church should do - to share the faith through the teachings of the Church. As always, some people are more receptive and open than others to such teachings. The people that are attacking Bishop Morlino and his message are true "cafeteria Catholics". They agree with the Church teachings they like and attack the Church teachings, as well as the messengers of such teachings, that make them uncomfortable.
2. A Good Model
"How could a bishop praise such a pro-choice person like Senator Kennedy?" That is a major theme expressed by the attackers of Bishop Morlino. Bishop Morlino makes it very clear that Senator Kennedy often promoted issues and engaged in personal behavior that were clearly contrary to Church teaching. Hey, welcome to the club, Ted! It is a big club that includes popes, bishops, saints, politicians even Catholic bloggers. Bishop Morlino clearly points out that Senator Kennedy had many failings. Bishop Morlino clearly indicates that Senator Kennedy took several measures during the last part of his life that indicate he had remorse for many of the actions he had taken during his life and was not only open to God's mercy, but was actively seeking it. So, we have a human being recognizing that he is a sinner, expressing that he wants to sin no more and seeking God's mercy. This seems to be a pretty good model of Christian behavior.
3. True Evangelization
Some of the people that are attacking Bishop Morlino have said that their concern is that the funeral was a public "spectacle", not that it was a Catholic funeral. They even poked a bit of fun at Bishop Morlino's reflection about the funeral being subdued, except for the guest list. Had the funeral services been private, nothing would have changed except for the number of publicity-seeking officials that attended. Catholic prelates would still have participated. Nothing would have changed with the readings or the music. I am glad that the service was covered by major media outlets. This was an opportunity for a wide audience to think about what a Catholic funeral means in terms of God's mercy. God became man and died on a cross for all of us. That is the core of our faith. The mercy Jesus showed on the cross is the same mercy with which God has graced Senator Kennedy. May we all seek and receive such mercy during our life and at the time of our death.
May both Edward Kennedy and this controversy rest in peace!
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