Kennedy 'wanted to go to heaven' says priest who stayed at Kennedy's bedside

[avaistheone1]

The Irish priest at Teddy Kennedy’s side as he died says “Teddy wanted to go, he went in peace and it was beautiful.”

Monsignor Patrick Tarrant, a native of Cork who has been a priest for 56 years, was called to the Kennedy home on Tuesday evening from the nearby Our Lady of Victory Parish in Hyannisport when Kennedy took a turn for the worse.

“I think it was probably late Tuesday evening between 9 and 10 he took a turn, a serious turn, and I was called. So I was there until he died and he died at 11:30ish," Tarrant told local news stations.

Tarrant said all the family was gathered at the bedside. The truth is, the priest said that, “he expressed to his family that he did want to go. He did want to go to heaven. He was ready to go.

"There was a certain amount of peace, actually — in the family get-together last night. I couldn’t help but think that the world doesn’t know that part of Kennedy at all.”

Tarrant stated he was deeply impressed with the family and their prayerfulness as the end neared.
”I have been a priest for 56 years and I would say that rarely have I seen such a devout, prayerful family after the death of his sister and his own death. I am very impressed.

“It's never easy to part with those you lose, to part from them and see them go, even if you know they want to go and they don’t want to suffer any more. I don’t know how much he was suffering as I am sure we has well-cared for medically, I am sure he was because the doctor was there. He was slipping away gradually as I got there, but everybody was right there. The doctor was there of course, and all the family were there.”

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Kennedy-wanted-to-go-to-heaven-says-priest-who-stayed-at-Kennedys-bedside.html?page=1

[polichick]

1. That's the way it should be - a family sending their loved one off from the...

...comfort and privacy of home. Good for them!

[Bluerthanblue]

4. yes-

it should be that way. I'm so glad, for Ted and family that it happened like this-

:grouphug:

[Kajsa]

2. Thank you,

for posting this.

:pals:

[Bluerthanblue]

3. i understand and respect the feelings

of his family wanting him to stay... and his being so ready to go.
:tears:

It's such a painful, poignant experience. What a gift to everyone to have been together at this passage.


:grouphug:

[roguevalley]

5. he made it. his family was waiting for him there.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

6. If there is a heaven...

I'm sure you made it, Ted.

[Raine]

7. I know that Teddy is there

now. O8)

[The Straight Story]

8. Glad Teddy did not post here, he would have been made fun of for being a Christian (nt)

[timo]

9. sorta snapped

It did just occur to me how right you are, lots of christian bashing on this forum, and the someone passes away and its all vaya con dios, God speed, God bless the kennedys, he is in heaven now, he is an angel now,.......just saying it gets to be a bit of a grind.

[SoxFan]

11. +1

[Dinger]

10. Beautiful

I am so proud of Teddy. I just don't have the words. Here's to American's Senator!:toast: O8) :patriot: