As_CSA little_JJ children_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 went_VVD to_II mass_NN1 each_DD1 week_NNT1 ,_, and_CC every_AT1 day_NNT1 in_II the_AT summertime_NNT1 ._. 
"_" We_PPIS2 always_RR had_VHN a_AT1 rosary_NN1 on_II our_APPGE beds_NN2 ;_; and_CC then_RT ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, &lsqb;_( Mother_NN1 would_VM &rsqb;_) hear_VV0 our_APPGE bedtime_NNT1 prayers_NN2 and_CC do_VD0 our_APPGE catechism_NN1 with_IW us_PPIO2 ,_, "_" said_VVD Patricia_NP1 ,_, the_AT sixth_MD of_IO Joseph_NP1 and_CC Rose_NP1 Kennedy_NP1 's_GE nine_MC children_NN2 ,_, in_II her_APPGE mother_NN1 's_GE memoir_NN1 ,_, Times_NNT2 to_TO Remember_VV0 ._. 
They_PPHS2 thanked_VVD God_NP1 for_IF the_AT food_NN1 on_II their_APPGE table_NN1 ,_, and_CC at_II Sunday_NPD1 dinner_NN1 they_PPHS2 discussed_VVD the_AT sermon_NN1 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD heard_VVN that_DD1 morning_NNT1 ._. 
Priests_NN2 and_CC nuns_NN2 were_VBDR regular_JJ guests_NN2 at_II meals_NN2 --_NN1 and_CC house-guests_NN2 ,_, too_RG --_JJ in_II Hyannis_NP1 ,_, as_CSA caught_VVN up_RP in_II the_AT sailing_NN1 and_CC tennis_NN1 as_II the_AT children_NN2 themselves_PPX2 ._. 
The_AT Kennedys_NP2 were_VBDR sons_NN2 and_CC daughters_NN2 of_IO privilege_NN1 ;_; their_APPGE milestones_NN2 --_JJ baptisms_NN2 ,_, weddings_NN2 ,_, too_RG many_DA2 funerals_NN2 --_NN1 were_VBDR marked_VVN in_II church_NN1 by_II America_NP1 's_GE highest_JJT bishops_NN2 ._. 
Teddy_NP1 ,_, the_AT baby_NN1 ,_, received_VVD his_APPGE first_MD holy_JJ communion_NN1 from_II Pope_NNB Pius_NP1 XII_MC in_II Rome_NP1 ,_, telling_VVG reporters_NN2 afterward_RL ,_, "_" He_PPHS1 patted_VVD my_APPGE head_NN1 and_CC told_VVD me_PPIO1 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 smart_JJ little_JJ fellow_NN1 ._. "_" 
Archbishop_NN1 (_( soon_RR to_TO be_VBI Cardinal_JJ )_) Richard_NP1 Cushing_NP1 performed_VVD Jack_NP1 's_GE wedding_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 prelate_NN1 ,_, with_IW his_APPGE broad_JJ Boston_NP1 --_JJ Irish_JJ accent_NN1 ,_, presided_VVN over_II Jack_NP1 's_GE funeral_NN1 and_CC helped_VVN with_IW Bobby_NP1 's_GE ,_, too_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 barely_RR kept_VVD his_APPGE composure_NN1 at_II the_AT first_MD ;_; he_PPHS1 wept_VVD openly_RR at_II the_AT second_NNT1 ._. 
As_II the_AT children_NN2 of_IO Joe_NP1 and_CC Rose_NP1 grew_VVD and_CC had_VHD their_APPGE own_DA children_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 struggled_VVD ,_, as_CSA do_VD0 so_RG many_DA2 American_JJ Roman_JJ Catholics_NN2 ,_, with_IW how_RRQ to_TO love_VVI their_APPGE ancient_JJ church_NN1 and_CC remain_VVI modern_JJ ,_, progressive_JJ citizens_NN2 of_IO the_AT land_NN1 that_CST had_VHD given_VVN them_PPHO2 so_RG much_DA1 ._. 
Some_DD in_II that_DD1 generation_NN1 ,_, and_CC many_DA2 more_DAR in_II the_AT next_MD ,_, openly_RR decried_JJ church_NN1 teachings_NN2 and_CC supported_JJ birth_NN1 control_NN1 --_NN1 and_CC ,_, when_CS it_PPH1 became_VVD law_NN1 ,_, abortion_NN1 ._. 
Divorce_NN1 plagued_VVN the_AT family_NN1 ;_; squabbles_NN2 with_IW Rome_NP1 about_II annulments_NN2 ,_, remarriage_NN1 ,_, and_CC intermarriage_NN1 were_VBDR fought_VVN in_RR21 public_RR22 ._. 
And_CC in_II 2002_MC ,_, the_AT Kennedys_NP2 --_NN1 along_II21 with_II22 more_DAR than_CSN 60_MC million_NNO other_JJ American_JJ Catholics_NN2 --_NN1 experienced_VVD the_AT pain_NN1 and_CC revulsion_NN1 of_IO the_AT sex_NN1 scandals_NN2 that_CST started_VVD in_II their_APPGE own_DA city_NN1 ,_, Boston_NP1 ,_, and_CC reverberated_VVD throughout_II the_AT country_NN1 ._. 
Teddy_NP1 had_VHD maintained_VVN his_APPGE parents_NN2 '_GE habit_NN1 of_IO cordial_JJ relations_NN2 with_IW the_AT local_JJ hierarchy_NN1 :_: a_AT1 priest_NN1 friend_NN1 recalls_VVZ dining_NN1 with_IW Teddy_NP1 ,_, his_APPGE second_MD wife_NN1 ,_, Vicki_NP1 ,_, and_CC Cardinal_NNB Bernard_NP1 Law_NN1 in_II Hyannis_NP1 some_DD time_NNT1 before_II the_AT scandal_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB on_II the_AT day_NNT1 Cardinal_NNB Law_NP1 resigned_VVD ,_, Teddy_NP1 's_GE comments_NN2 were_VBDR chilly_JJ ,_, brief_JJ ,_, and_CC designed_VVN to_TO rebuke_VVI :_: "_" Cardinal_NNB Law_NP1 made_VVD the_AT right_JJ decision_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
"_" Today_RT is_VBZ a_AT1 new_JJ day_NNT1 ._. "_" 
Yet_RR until_CS the_AT day_NNT1 he_PPHS1 died_VVD ,_, Kennedy_NP1 considered_VVD himself_PPX1 deeply_RR and_CC unquestioningly_RR Catholic_JJ ._. 
Amid_II all_DB the_AT eulogizing_NN1 ,_, the_AT death_NN1 of_IO Edward_NP1 Moore_NP1 Kennedy_NP1 presents_VVZ an_AT1 opportunity_NN1 to_TO reflect_VVI on_II the_AT peculiar_JJ nature_NN1 of_IO American_JJ Roman_JJ Catholicism_NN1 and_CC the_AT epochal_JJ changes_NN2 --_NN1 in_II piety_NN1 ,_, in_II practice_NN1 ,_, in_II politics_NN1 --_NN1 that_CST have_VH0 shaken_VVN those_DD2 Catholics_NN2 through_II three_MC generations_NN2 ._. 
Born_VVN at_II what_DDQ Bobby_NP1 's_GE eldest_JJT child_NN1 ,_, Kathleen_NP1 ,_, calls_VVZ "_" the_AT apex_NN1 of_IO Catholic_JJ power_NN1 over_II Catholics_NN2 ,_, "_" Teddy_NP1 and_CC his_APPGE siblings_NN2 sit_VV0 at_II a_AT1 pivotal_JJ point_NN1 in_II American_JJ religious_JJ history_NN1 ,_, not_XX so_RG much_DA1 reflecting_VVG the_AT American_JJ Catholic_JJ story_NN1 as_CSA embodying_VVG it_PPH1 ._. 
Before_CS the_AT Kennedys_NP2 ,_, Catholics_NN2 were_VBDR locally_RR powerful_JJ ,_, but_CCB nationally_RR suspect_VV0 ._. 
After_CS the_AT Kennedys_NP2 ,_, Catholics_NN2 were_VBDR Americans_NN2 ,_, and_CC Americans_NN2 saw_VVD Catholics_NN2 (_( more_RRR or_CC less_RRR )_) as_II themselves_PPX2 ._. 
"_" The_AT first_MD American_JJ experience_NN1 of_IO the_AT meaning_NN1 of_IO Roman_JJ Catholicism_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT three-day_JJ funeral_NN1 of_IO JFK_NP1 ,_, culminating_VVG in_II the_AT requiem_NN1 mass_NN1 ,_, after_II which_DDQ the_AT whole_JJ country_NN1 had_VHD its_APPGE grief_NN1 assuaged_VVN by_II the_AT Catholic_JJ liturgy_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ James_NP1 Carroll_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 former_DA priest_NN1 and_CC author_NN1 of_IO Practicing_NP1 Catholic_NN1 ._. 
"_" The_AT whole_JJ nation_NN1 was_VBDZ Catholic_JJ for_IF a_AT1 weekend_NNT1 ._. "_" 
The_AT ascension_NN1 of_IO the_AT Kennedys_NP2 to_II national_JJ political_JJ power_NN1 in_II the_AT 1960s_MC2 coincided_VVD ,_, not_XX accidentally_RR ,_, with_IW the_AT reforms_NN2 of_IO the_AT Second_MD Vatican_NP1 Council_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ put_VV0 great_JJ new_JJ emphasis_NN1 on_II freedom_NN1 and_CC social_JJ justice_NN1 ,_, yet_RR left_JJ modern_JJ American_JJ Catholics_NN2 without_IW sensible_JJ guidance_NN1 on_II personal_JJ questions_NN2 having_VHG to_TO do_VDI with_IW sex_NN1 ,_, marriage_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT role_NN1 of_IO women_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 fell_VVD to_II Teddy_NP1 ,_, the_AT only_JJ one_PN1 of_IO the_AT brothers_NN2 to_TO live_VVI a_AT1 whole_JJ life_NN1 ,_, to_TO wrestle_VVI publicly_RR with_IW the_AT tensions_NN2 those_DD2 reforms_NN2 created_VVN for_IF believers_NN2 --_NN1 and_CC ,_, eventually_RR ,_, between_II the_AT restless_JJ American_JJ laity_NN1 and_CC the_AT hierarchy_NN1 who_PNQS preached_VVD to_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
The_AT boy_NN1 who_PNQS took_VVD communion_NN1 from_II the_AT pope_NN1 was_VBDZ denounced_VVN from_II the_AT pulpit_NN1 ,_, 35_MC years_NNT2 later_RRR ,_, for_IF supporting_JJ Roe_NN v._II Wade_NP1 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 whose_DDQGE recklessness_NN1 caused_VVD the_AT death_NN1 in_II 1969_MC of_IO Mary_NP1 Jo_NP1 Kopechne_NP1 ,_, and_CC whose_DDQGE carnal_JJ appetites_NN2 created_VVD indelible_JJ images_NN2 of_IO personal_JJ excess_NN1 ,_, also_RR championed_VVN some_DD of_IO the_AT most_RGT important_JJ social_JJ reforms_NN2 --_NN1 on_II immigration_NN1 ,_, health_NN1 care_NN1 ,_, and_CC apartheid_NN1 ,_, and_CC on_II31 behalf_II32 of_II33 people_NN with_IW AIDS_NN1 ,_, disabilities_NN2 ,_, and_CC cancer_NN1 ._. 
Teddy_NP1 's_GE faith_NN1 was_VBDZ unique_JJ only_RR in_RP that_CST its_APPGE contradictions_NN2 were_VBDR writ_VVN so_RG large_JJ ;_; in_RR21 private_RR22 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 thoughtful_JJ ,_, irreverent_JJ ,_, rebellious_JJ ,_, and_CC devout_JJ Catholic_NN1 ,_, like_II so_RG many_DA2 Irish-Americans_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE age_NN1 ._. 
"_" There_EX 's_VBZ a_AT1 kind_NN1 of_IO interplay_NN1 between_II faith_NN1 ,_, poetry_NN1 ,_, religion_NN1 ,_, and_CC imagination_NN1 that_CST 's_VBZ part_NN1 of_IO the_AT Irish_JJ tradition_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ the_AT priest_NN1 Gerry_NP1 Creedon_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS knew_VVD Kennedy_NP1 well_RR ._. 
Creedon_NN1 often_RR visited_VVD Kennedy_NP1 at_II his_APPGE Washington_NP1 ,_, D.C._NP1 ,_, home_RL to_TO celebrate_VVI mass_NN1 during_II his_APPGE illness_NN1 ,_, and_CC what_DDQ struck_VVD him_PPHO1 was_VBDZ the_AT joy_NN1 Kennedy_NP1 expressed_VVD in_II his_APPGE devotion_NN1 :_: "_" When_RRQ we_PPIS2 would_VM come_VVI to_TO pray_VVI at_II the_AT eucharist_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX offering_VVG prayers_NN2 of_IO petition_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ offering_VVG prayers_NN2 of_IO gratitude_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ wondering_VVG if_CS I_PPIS1 would_VM be_VBI as_RG trusting_JJ and_CC appreciative_JJ of_IO God_NP1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ in_II that_DD1 circumstance_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 kind_NN1 of_IO generosity_NN1 of_IO spirit_NN1 --_NN1 he_PPHS1 always_RR &lsqb;_( impressed_VVN &rsqb;_) me_PPIO1 as_CSA someone_PN1 who_PNQS does_VDZ n't_XX carry_VVI grudges_NN2 and_CC lets_VVZ go_NN1 of_IO them_PPHO2 quickly_RR ._. "_" 
The_AT story_NN1 starts_VVZ with_IW the_AT matriarch_NN1 ,_, Rose_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS bequeathed_VVD her_APPGE children_NN2 an_AT1 ostentatious_JJ intimacy_NN1 with_IW the_AT rites_NN2 and_CC sacraments_NN2 of_IO traditional_JJ Catholic_JJ devotion_NN1 ._. 
Another_DD1 priest_NN1 friend_NN1 of_IO the_AT family_NN1 remembers_VVZ an_AT1 encounter_NN1 with_IW Rose_NN1 near_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE life_NN1 :_: "_" She_PPHS1 had_VHD had_VHN a_AT1 stroke_NN1 at_II the_AT time_NNT1 ;_; she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ in_II a_AT1 wheelchair_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 remember_VV0 we_PPIS2 prayed_VVD a_AT1 decade_NNT1 of_IO the_AT rosary_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ in_II her_APPGE own_DA way_NN1 praying_VVG and_CC responding_VVG to_II us_PPIO2 ._. "_" 
Rose_NP1 prayed_VVD the_AT rosary_NN1 every_AT1 night_NNT1 of_IO her_APPGE life_NN1 ;_; she_PPHS1 sent_VVD her_APPGE children_NN2 to_II Catholic_JJ schools_NN2 ;_; she_PPHS1 encouraged_VVD them_PPHO2 to_TO go_VVI on_II prayer_NN1 retreats_NN2 ._. 
In_II one_MC1 story_NN1 from_II Rose_NP1 's_GE autobiography_NN1 ,_, 16-year-old_JJ Ted_NP1 is_VBZ downstairs_RL at_II Hyannis_NP1 ,_, regaling_VVG his_APPGE father_NN1 with_IW schemes_NN2 of_IO how_RRQ he_PPHS1 'll_VM win_VVI sailing_NN1 races_VVZ that_DD1 weekend_NNT1 ._. 
His_APPGE mother_NN1 walks_VVZ into_II the_AT room_NN1 ,_, just_RR home_RL from_II mass_NN1 ,_, and_CC gives_VVZ her_APPGE son_NN1 the_AT news_NN1 :_: she_PPHS1 's_VBZ arranged_VVN for_IF him_PPHO1 to_TO go_VVI on_II retreat_NN1 that_DD1 day_NNT1 ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, Mother_NN1 ,_, "_" young_JJ Ted_NP1 replies_VVZ ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM be_VBI ready_JJ to_TO go_VVI ._. "_" 
Joe_NP1 turns_VVZ to_II a_AT1 friend_NN1 who_PNQS is_VBZ there_RL ,_, his_APPGE eyes_NN2 misting_VVG ,_, and_CC says_VVZ ,_, "_" He_PPHS1 's_VBZ a_AT1 good_JJ boy_NN1 ._. "_" 
As_CSA adults_NN2 ,_, Rose_NP1 's_GE children_NN2 kept_VVD up_RP their_APPGE Catholic_JJ practice_NN1 (_( except_II Kathleen_NP1 ,_, nicknamed_VVN "_" Kick_NN1 "_" and_CC shunned_VVN for_IF marrying_VVG an_AT1 Anglican_NN1 )_) ._. 
JFK_NP1 ,_, among_II the_AT most_RGT secular_JJ of_IO the_AT children_NN2 ,_, never_RR missed_VVN mass_JJ --_NN1 even_RR on_II the_AT trail_NN1 ,_, "_" when_CS no_AT voter_NN1 would_VM know_VVI whether_CSW he_PPHS1 attended_VVD services_NN2 ,_, "_" according_II21 to_II22 Kennedy_NP1 ,_, Theodore_NP1 Sorensen_NP1 's_GE 1965_MC book_NN1 ._. 
Bobby_NP1 and_CC Ethel_NP1 taught_VVD their_APPGE 11_MC kids_NN2 what_DDQ their_APPGE daughter_NN1 Kathleen_NP1 calls_VVZ a_AT1 "_" pervasive_JJ "_" Catholicism_NN1 :_: "_" We_PPIS2 had_VHD holy-water_JJ holders_NN2 in_II every_AT1 door_NN1 of_IO our_APPGE house_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 said_VVD prayers_NN2 before_II and_CC after_II every_AT1 meal_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 went_VVD to_II Roman_JJ Catholic_JJ schools_NN2 ._. 
On_II Sundays_NPD2 ,_, we_PPIS2 put_VV0 on_RP our_APPGE white_JJ gloves_NN2 and_CC shined_VVD our_APPGE shoes_NN2 ._. 
Women_NN2 wore_VVD the_AT mantillas_NN2 ._. 
If_CS we_PPIS2 did_VDD something_PN1 good_JJ ,_, we_PPIS2 got_VVD a_AT1 gold_NN1 star_NN1 in_II heaven_NN1 ._. "_" 
Ted_NP1 eulogized_VVD his_APPGE mother_NN1 in_II 1995_MC ,_, saying_VVG ,_, "_" She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ ambitious_JJ not_XX only_RR for_IF our_APPGE success_NN1 but_CCB for_IF our_APPGE souls_NN2 ..._... 
She_PPHS1 sustained_VVD us_PPIO2 in_II the_AT hardest_JJT times_NNT2 by_II her_APPGE faith_NN1 in_II God_NP1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ the_AT greatest_JJT gift_NN1 she_PPHS1 gave_VVD us_PPIO2 ._. "_" 
Eunice_VV0 and_CC Sargent_NP1 Shriver_NP1 practiced_VVD what_DDQ may_VM have_VHI been_VBN a_AT1 more_RGR potent_JJ flavor_NN1 of_IO the_AT faith_NN1 ,_, influenced_VVN by_II Sarge_NP1 's_GE childhood_NN1 in_II Baltimore_NP1 ,_, the_AT center_NN1 of_IO orthodoxy_NN1 at_II that_DD1 time_NNT1 ._. 
Both_DB2 of_IO his_APPGE parents_NN2 went_VVD to_II mass_JJ daily_JJ ,_, their_APPGE son_NN1 Timothy_NP1 says_VVZ ._. 
Sarge_NN1 could_VM recite_VVI the_AT Baltimore_NP1 Catechism_NN1 by_II heart_NN1 ,_, and_CC frequently_RR did_VDD ._. 
Their_APPGE home_NN1 was_VBDZ "_" layered_VVN with_IW crucifixes_NN2 and_CC madonnas_NN2 and_CC other_JJ very_RG Catholic_JJ sort_NN1 of_IO statuary_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ not_XX congregational_JJ and_CC stark_JJ ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ Catholic_JJ ._. "_" 
Even_RR in_II the_AT months_NNT2 before_II her_APPGE death_NN1 ,_, when_CS she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ too_RG ill_JJ to_TO go_VVI frequently_RR to_II mass_NN1 ,_, Eunice_NP1 had_VHD in_II her_APPGE bedroom_NN1 ,_, says_VVZ Timothy_NP1 ,_, "_" at_RR21 least_RR22 --_JJ I_PPIS1 'm_VBM not_XX exaggerating_VVG --_NN1 30_MC separate_JJ images_NN2 of_IO the_AT Blessed_JJ Mother_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 30_MC ._. 
I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX mean_VVI seven_MC that_CST looks_VVZ like_II 30_MC ._. "_" 
Rose_NP1 's_GE piety_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX formulaic_JJ ._. 
"_" There_EX is_VBZ a_AT1 strong_JJ tradition_NN1 in_II Catholicism_NN1 of_IO questioning_JJ authority_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Kerry_NP1 Kennedy_NP1 ,_, Bobby_NP1 and_CC Ethel_NP1 's_GE seventh_MD child_NN1 and_CC author_NN1 of_IO Being_VBG Catholic_JJ Now_RT :_: Prominent_JJ Americans_NN2 Talk_VV0 About_II Change_NN1 in_II the_AT Church_NN1 and_CC the_AT Quest_NN1 for_IF Meaning_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE cousin_NN1 Timothy_NP1 echoes_VVZ this_DD1 :_: "_" If_CS you_PPY 're_VBR not_XX Catholic_JJ ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ hard_JJ to_TO understand_VVI because_CS ,_, to_II the_AT outsider_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 looks_VVZ like_II a_AT1 rank-and-file_NN1 ,_, authority-driven_NN1 ,_, conformity-based_JJ adherence_NN1 religion_NN1 ._. 
The_AT actual_JJ experience_NN1 of_IO most_DAT Catholics_NN2 --_NN1 and_CC ,_, in_RR21 particular_RR22 ,_, European_JJ Catholics_NN2 --_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX either/or_CC ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ both/and_FU ._. 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR taught_VVN independence_NN1 and_CC adherence_NN1 ;_; to_TO respect_VVI our_APPGE consciences_NN2 and_CC authority_NN1 ;_; to_TO follow_VVI and_CC to_TO lead_VVI ._. "_" 
This_DD1 quality_NN1 ,_, of_IO being_VBG able_JK to_TO rebel_VVI and_CC submit_VVI at_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 ,_, is_VBZ a_AT1 helpful_JJ lens_NN1 through_II which_DDQ to_TO view_VVI the_AT Kennedys_NP2 ._. 
It_PPH1 explains_VVZ the_AT success_NN1 Bobby_NP1 and_CC Teddy_NP1 had_VHD crusading_VVG for_IF social_JJ reform_NN1 from_II within_II the_AT political_JJ system_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 explains_VVZ why_RRQ the_AT Kennedys_NP2 have_VH0 a_AT1 special_JJ fondness_NN1 for_IF priests_NN2 who_PNQS went_VVD against_II their_APPGE bishops_NN2 on_II issues_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 Vietnam_NP1 and_CC El_NP1 Salvador_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 explains_VVZ how_RRQ Ted_NP1 could_VM tell_VVI The_AT Boston_NP1 Globe_NN1 in_II 1994_MC ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 count_VV0 myself_PPX1 among_II the_AT growing_JJ number_NN1 of_IO Catholics_NN2 who_PNQS support_VV0 the_AT ordination_NN1 of_IO women_NN2 as_CSA priests_NN2 "_" --_NN1 despite_II the_AT Vatican_NP1 's_GE refusal_NN1 to_TO consider_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
It_PPH1 also_RR explains_VVZ how_RRQ Ethel_NP1 ,_, at_II 81_MC ,_, continues_VVZ to_TO go_VVI to_II mass_NN1 each_DD1 day_NNT1 ,_, yet_RR regularly_RR walks_VVZ out_RP when_CS she_PPHS1 does_VDZ n't_XX like_VVI the_AT sermon_NN1 or_CC the_AT priest_NN1 who_PNQS 's_VBZ preaching_VVG it_PPH1 ._. 
In_II his_APPGE 1960_MC speech_NN1 to_II the_AT Greater_NP1 Houston_NP1 Ministerial_JJ Association_NN1 ,_, John_NP1 F._NP1 Kennedy_NP1 was_VBDZ implicitly_RR talking_VVG about_II this_DD1 ideal_JJ :_: he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ confident_JJ that_CST he_PPHS1 could_VM take_VVI a_AT1 stand_NN1 against_II his_APPGE church_NN1 if_CS necessary_JJ ._. 
"_" Whatever_DDQV issue_NN1 may_VM come_VVI before_II me_PPIO1 as_II president_NN1 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 will_VM make_VVI my_APPGE decision_NN1 in_II31 accordance_II32 with_II33 what_DDQ my_APPGE conscience_NN1 tells_VVZ me_PPIO1 to_TO be_VBI the_AT national_JJ interest_NN1 ,_, and_CC without_IW regard_NN1 to_II outside_JJ religious_JJ pressure_NN1 or_CC dictates_NN2 ._. 
And_CC no_AT power_NN1 or_CC threat_NN1 of_IO punishment_NN1 could_VM cause_VVI me_PPIO1 to_TO decide_VVI otherwise_RR ._. "_" 
That_DD1 speech_NN1 --_NN1 written_VVN by_II Sorensen_NP1 and_CC vetted_VVD by_II a_AT1 Jesuit_JJ priest_NN1 and_CC friend_NN1 of_IO Cardinal_NNB Cushing_NP1 named_VVD John_NP1 Courtney_NP1 Murray_NP1 (_( who_PNQS would_VM write_VVI much_DA1 of_IO the_AT document_NN1 defining_VVG religious_JJ freedom_NN1 for_IF the_AT Second_MD Vatican_NP1 Council_NN1 )_) --_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 watershed_NN1 moment_NN1 for_IF Kennedy_NP1 and_CC for_IF members_NN2 of_IO minority_NN1 religions_NN2 in_II America_NP1 ._. 
It_PPH1 helped_VVD him_PPHO1 win_VVI the_AT election_NN1 ._. 
JFK_NP1 's_GE political_JJ philosophy_NN1 dovetailed_VVD neatly_RR with_IW a_AT1 theology_NN1 of_IO conscience_NN1 that_CST would_VM be_VBI developed_VVN fully_RR several_DA2 years_NNT2 later_RRR at_II Vatican_NP1 II_MC :_: true_JJ religious_JJ liberty_NN1 meant_VVD allowing_VVG private_JJ beliefs_NN2 to_TO remain_VVI private_JJ ,_, as_CS31 long_CS32 as_CS33 they_PPHS2 did_VDD not_XX interfere_VVI with_IW the_AT public_JJ order_NN1 ._. 
In_II a_AT1 civil_JJ society_NN1 ,_, obedience_NN1 to_II law_NN1 had_VHD to_TO trump_VVI adherence_NN1 to_II doctrine_NN1 when_CS the_AT two_MC were_VBDR in_II conflict_NN1 ._. 
"_" Conscience_NN1 "_" was_VBDZ the_AT vehicle_NN1 with_IW which_DDQ the_AT individual_NN1 navigated_VVD this_DD1 treacherous_JJ terrain_NN1 ._. 
Ted_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS idolized_VVD Jack_NP1 ,_, believed_VVD firmly_RR in_II the_AT separation_NN1 of_IO religion_NN1 and_CC politics_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ never_RR interviewed_VVN on_II the_AT subject_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE faith_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 never_RR publicly_RR connected_VVD his_APPGE church_NN1 's_GE teachings_NN2 on_II social_JJ justice_NN1 to_II his_APPGE policy_NN1 crusades_NN2 on_II31 behalf_II32 of_II33 "_" the_AT least_DAT of_IO these_DD2 ,_, "_" a_AT1 tack_NN1 he_PPHS1 could_VM have_VHI easily_RR taken_VVN ,_, as_CSA Barack_NP1 Obama_NP1 has_VHZ done_VDN ._. 
Tim_NP1 Shriver_NP1 remembers_VVZ dining_NN1 with_IW his_APPGE uncle_NN1 in_II Washington_NP1 and_CC saying_VVG something_PN1 complimentary_JJ about_II the_AT way_NN1 George_NP1 W._NP1 Bush_NP1 connected_VVD with_IW people_NN on_II the_AT level_NN1 of_IO faith_NN1 ._. 
"_" Jesus_NP1 Christ_NP1 ,_, Timmy_NP1 !_! "_" the_AT senator_NN1 exploded_VVD ._. 
"_" This_DD1 is_VBZ what_DDQ Jack_NP1 fought_VVD so_RG hard_RR against_II ._. "_" 
In_II 1983_MC ,_, Ted_NP1 gave_VVD his_APPGE own_DA version_NN1 of_IO the_AT Houston_NP1 speech_NN1 at_II Jerry_NP1 Falwell_NP1 's_GE Liberty_NN1 University_NN1 ._. 
A_ZZ1 Washington_NP1 Post_NN1 reporter_NN1 discovered_VVD that_CST the_AT Moral_JJ Majority_NN1 had_VHD sent_VVN Kennedy_NP1 a_AT1 membership_NN1 card_NN1 --_NN1 despite_II his_APPGE being_VBG one_MC1 of_IO their_APPGE targets_NN2 at_II the_AT time_NNT1 ._. 
Responding_VVG to_II the_AT reporter_NN1 's_GE request_NN1 for_IF comment_NN1 ,_, Falwell_NP1 's_GE spokesman_NN1 Cal_NNU Thomas_NP1 jokingly_RR invited_VVD Kennedy_NP1 to_TO come_VVI on_RP down_RP ._. 
Kennedy_NP1 called_VVD his_APPGE bluff_NN1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 told_VVD Falwell_NP1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 turned_VVD two_MC or_CC three_MC different_JJ colors_NN2 ,_, "_" recalls_VVZ Thomas_NP1 ._. 
The_AT senator_NN1 arrived_VVD on_II the_AT appointed_JJ day_NNT1 with_IW an_AT1 adviser_NN1 and_CC his_APPGE daughter_NN1 ,_, Kara_NP1 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 all_DB had_VHN dinner_NN1 at_II Falwell_NP1 's_GE house_NN1 ._. 
The_AT speech_NN1 ,_, remembers_VVZ Thomas_NP1 ,_, "_" criticized_VVD those_DD2 who_PNQS attacked_VVD Falwell_NP1 and_CC conservative_JJ Christians_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ incredibly_RR well_RR balanced_VVN ._. "_" 
