The Boston Globe published portions of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy’s letter that President Obama hand-delivered to Pope Benedict XVI, as well as portions of the pontiff’s response.
Assuming the withheld portions of the letters are equal in tone and style, there are some interesting things to note. The late senator is writing about himself. He is briefing the Pope on his accomplishments. Perhaps it is his last campaign, this time for something still hidden in the letter.
Pope Benedict’s response, written by an aide, is nice and cordial. I’m not a regular reader of his writings, but this language is interesting (emphasis mine):
His Holiness prays that in the days ahead you may be sustained in faith and hope, and granted the precious grace of joyful surrender to the will of God our merciful Father.
Pardon me for asking a Lutheran question, but what does this mean? Is this a last call for repentance?
We have, I believe, Kennedy’s entire letter. You have to read it and the response like a Catholic.
Kennedy is asking the Pope to pray for his soul. The “total surrender” referred to in the response is not repentance, but (to borrow a Wesleyan term) entire sanctification–which, according to Catholic teaching, is worked out either through penance or in Purgatory.
Knowing where this letter comes from does make it a bit hard to decipher. As Kennedy talks about his faith + works one would expect the Bishop of Rome to say “well done good and faithful servant!” but he doesn’t does he. I think to us who cling to Christ and His grace given without merit by works, it does indeed sound like a call for repentance. Knowing that these words came from the office of the pope we need to look at the letter with a more discerning eye. Even though the next line talks about “consolation and peace promised by the Risen Savior” the letter never declares that Kennedy should look to Christ and Him alone. In addition, the letter ends with the promise of Kennedy and family being commended “to the loving intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary”. The more things change, the more they stay the same with our Roman friends.