Is Sen Teddie Kennedy a practicing Catholic?

Question

I have heard that he has been excommunicated from the Catholic Church for his pro abortion stand.

Answer 1

Someone can be a misguided Catholic and “pro-choice.”

This is especially harmful when they are people of influence like politicians, who because of their influence may unduly direct others toward "the culture of death" instead of the "consistent ethic of life."

Politically supporting abortion is not a offense for which one can be excommunicated although a change in this rule is being discussed.

The Church law involved is Canon 915: Those who are excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' statement "Catholics in Political Life" says:

Therefore, like every Catholic generation before us, we must be guided by the words of St. Paul, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord” (1 Cor 11:27).

And continues that it is up to each Bishop in their diocese and on a case by case basis to decide whether or not to deny Holy Communion to Catholic politicians because of their public support of abortion.

Here is the complete document: http://www.usccb.org/bishops/catholicsinpoliticallife.shtml

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Like many politicians he has no problem seperating church and state. He has not moral standard as a foundation and will support whatever issue he feels will keep him in power.

Answer 3

while he may still claim to be Catholic, he is NOT a practicing Catholic.

Answer 4

He faithfully attends St. Seagram's daily.