General Intercession for Osama Bin Laden?

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Togonon

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Over Memorial Day weekend, our priest, offered his own special intention and asked us to pray for the soul of Osama Bin Laden.

I know that some leeway is probably given for the celebrant here, but it felt out of place and frankly, offensive, over memorial day weekend.

Again, thanks in advance for your help!
 
I think that Memorial Day was the perfect day to emphasize Christian forgiveness and turning the other cheek. May God judge him fairly.

Foundmyfaith
Former US Navy Hospital Corpsman
 
Hi,

There was a similar thread to this one that was posted. Might want to check it out as it has got some good view points in it as well.

I tend to stay out of these things as they are hot button issues.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=566187&highlight=Osama+bin+Laden
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 Topic - Mass for the repose of Osama Bin Laden
But I will say this for the record. We are the pray in all circumstances and to pray for all people, and yes this means Osama. Have you ever noticed the prayers at the Good Friday service? They have some intentions for the nonbelivers and things of that nature. Many would fall under this category. This is accetable and done at that Mass, so why should someone not be prayed for in the highest form of Prayer which is the Mass?

I do not have a problem with people being left in the intercessions or having a Mass said for someone. I applaud those who are reaching out and trying to lead by example and show what forgiveness and love is.

I know that yes he did some morally wrong things. We are to love our enemies and pray for them.

God Bless.
 
Togonon said:
Over Memorial Day weekend, our priest, offered his own special intention and asked us to pray for the soul of Osama Bin Laden.

I know that some leeway is probably given for the celebrant here, but it felt out of place and frankly, offensive, over memorial day weekend.

Again, thanks in advance for your help!
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I know it seems almost callous but the priest was right and brave if I might add because he must have known most of his listeners would react as you have done. We are , however talking of Christian values and belief here. The First Commandment, you know it as well as I do . Hatred is a sin against this Commandment. To wish your neighbour ( read Osama…) evil or to rejoice in his demise are expressions of hatred. We as Christians are asked to love our neighbour for the sake of God, not for their own sakes.
I know, easier said than done, but the road is narrow that leads to heaven.
Sorry if I have stepped on toes:o
 
ConstantineTG said:
Jesus said that we should pray for our enemies.
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Amen to that! 🙂 I agree-we must as Christians pray for our enemies. Jesus, being God nailed to the cross even forgave His executioners-and what they done I think is much worse than Osama being that they nailed God, who allowed it for His divine purpose on the cross. :crossrc::harp::amen:
 
I can understand that for Americans this seems horrible, but we must forgive as Catholics. It is not always easy, but God will judge him, not us.
 
Togonon said:
Over Memorial Day weekend, our priest, offered his own special intention and asked us to pray for the soul of Osama Bin Laden.

I know that some leeway is probably given for the celebrant here, but it felt out of place and frankly, offensive, over memorial day weekend.

Again, thanks in advance for your help!
Click to expand...
Jesus said to pray for our enemies, and he is certainly most in need of prayers. Anyways, the Mass was not on Memorial Day Weekend, it was on the 6th Sunday of Easter. Secular holidays do not affect the Mass.
 
TheMc said:
Jesus said to pray for our enemies, and he is certainly most in need of prayers. Anyways, the Mass was not on Memorial Day Weekend, it was on the 6th Sunday of Easter. Secular holidays do not affect the Mass.
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Thanks for the reply. Of course it was the 6th Sunday of Easter! I only mention that it happened over the memorial day weekend in terms of timing. Frankly, the only reason I posted in the first place was because my uncle, a Vietnam veteran, was very offended, while I was not.
 
foundmyfaith said:
I think that Memorial Day was the perfect day to emphasize Christian forgiveness and turning the other cheek. May God judge him fairly.

Foundmyfaith
Former US Navy Hospital Corpsman
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Thanks for your reply. I posted this question because my uncle, a Vietnam veteran, was extremely upset about it after Mass. He asked me if this was proper, which, after reading your response and others, I have concluded was completely appropriate.

Thanks again!
 
Togonon said:
Thanks for the reply. Of course it was the 6th Sunday of Easter! I only mention that it happened over the memorial day weekend in terms of timing. Frankly, the only reason I posted in the first place was because my uncle, a Vietnam veteran, was very offended, while I was not.
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Praying for our enemies is a tough message, but Jesus never said being a christian would be easy.
 
Togonon said:
I know that some leeway is probably given for the celebrant here, but it felt out of place and frankly, offensive, over memorial day weekend.
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Of course it felt offensive. And I don’t think anyone needs to apologize for feeling offended.

But as others have stated, we Christians pray for our persecutors. We are often called to act in in ways that rise above our justifiable feelings.
 
TheMc said:
Jesus said to pray for our enemies, and he is certainly most in need of prayers. Anyways, the Mass was not on Memorial Day Weekend, it was on the 6th Sunday of Easter. Secular holidays do not affect the Mass.
Click to expand...
And this being the Easter Season, we should remember that God forgave deicide (the worst possible sin–the killing of God). If God forgave that and turned it into our redemption, then we should be willing to forgive anyone for anything.
 
As the Jews used said about the Emperor Hadrian, " May his bones be crushed".
 
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