I’ve seen recent blog entries slamming the Democratic Party and the Kennedy family for politicizing Senator Kennedy’s funeral by making repeated references to the health care issue, even during Prayer of the Faithful at the funeral mass.
Wherever we find ourselves in the current debate over health care reform, we should realize that the quest for universal health care was a cornerstone of the senator’s political career. This was brought home by the HBO documentary Teddy: In His Own Words, aired on CNN following Senator Kennedy’s graveside service last Saturday night. As shown in video clips, the senator has vigorously supported universal health care at least since 1974.
Since this was a cause championed by Senator Kennedy for more than three decades, this was clearly no mere exploitation of the current sad event to further the immediate goals of his party.
A funeral mass is as much a celebration of a life as a farewell. No matter our personal feelings, it seems appropriate that Senator Kennedy’s family mention, and yes even pray for, the fulfillment of a goal that was such an important part of that life.
