Serial Killer Ted Bundy, And the Power of the Rosary

[ChadS]

Ted Bundy did not kill these student nurses, and the lone survivor wasn’t sleeping through the whole thing…she was hiding under her bed. The murderers’ name was Richard Speck.

This story, just like so many floating around on the cesspool of the internet, is false…perhaps elements of these stories are correct, but the main thrust is almost always wrong…you can do some preliminary research on your own by googling the name and reading about them…it’s easy…try it…type in Richard Speck in the google box or other search engine and you will get several sites where they will relate the story/stories.

I would think that we should verify things before we spread them…otherwise, we just look like saps…again…it’s easy…try it.

Flip

You’re getting your killers confused. I don’t think anybody mentioned nurses here, but Bundy did kill students in a sorority house … in fact that’s the crime that landed him on death row in Florida where he was later executed.

 

[holy_moly]

If you don’t want to believe this story, that is your choice. But to say that it must be rejected because society might laugh at us, that I cannot agree with.

Verifying credibility is not the same thing as saying something is false. I especially don’t see people shying away from this story because fear of being laughed at. The presumption is simply to verify before spreading. Is that so bad

 

[CSN]

If you don’t want to believe this story, that is your choice. But to say that it must be rejected because society might laugh at us, that I cannot agree with.

Verifying credibility is not the same thing as saying something is false. I especially don’t see people shying away from this story because fear of being laughed at. The presumption is simply to verify before spreading. Is that so bad

ugh, no one here is afraid of being laughed at.

no one.

 

[SeaShoreSand]

Thanks for sharing this…so many of us have stories of how Mary and praying the rosary has helped and healed in miraculous ways…I always appreciate hearing these stories.

 

[CSN]

If you don’t want to believe this story, that is your choice. But to say that it must be rejected because society might laugh at us, that I cannot agree with.

Verifying credibility is not the same thing as saying something is false. I especially don’t see people shying away from this story because fear of being laughed at. The presumption is simply to verify before spreading. Is that so bad

sorry, i misunderstand what you were originally trying to say. i wish there was a delete function in these boards…

 

[StrawberryJam]

Figures you all will beat up on Della simply because she asks you to be careful not to parade information around as if it were fact.

Can christians realize how this stuff only makes their case more weak?

 

[incense]

My name is Domenico Bettinelli and I am the originator of that story about Msgr. Kerr and Ted Bundy. The original post is HERE on my blog. …

Thanks for updating the story. A wonderful fruit of the discussion is the recounting of the parents’ generosity and compassion. Truly moving and inspiring.

Depending on our audience, sometimes we need stories with proof, and sometimes we don’t. If there is extra proof, it’s good to have it. It’s good for me to know what proof is available for this story, the good priest’s word, and that news stories did not report the rosary part.

I’m reminded of the protestant father from Columbine who went around repeating his daughter’s supposed last words of faith that were really said by a Catholic victim. The words were said, did it matter who was given credit for them? Yes. But he still toured over a year repeating the wrong story.

 

[Adonis33]

Thanks for updating the story. A wonderful fruit of the discussion is the recounting of the parents’ generosity and compassion. Truly moving and inspiring.

Depending on our audience, sometimes we need stories with proof, and sometimes we don’t. If there is extra proof, it’s good to have it. It’s good for me to know what proof is available for this story, the good priest’s word, and that news stories did not report the rosary part.

I’m reminded of the protestant father from Columbine who went around repeating his daughter’s supposed last words of faith that were really said by a Catholic victim. The words were said, did it matter who was given credit for them? Yes. But he still toured over a year repeating the wrong story.

Are you referring to Rachel’s Challenge? I remember when that program came to the High School where I teach. I didn’t like it at all. What really annoyed me was when her father kept comparing her to Ann Frank.

Really??? Ann Frank??? C’mon!!!

As far as these kinds of stories - its imperative that we find the veracity of such stories. What is lost to so many people is that what makes these kinds of stories special is that they happened. If they turn out to be false - it’s just fiction. There are so many true stories out there - why cling to fictional ones?

 

[cathgal]

Amazing, the flak that Della is receiving on this.

Great story about the Rosary, if indeed it is true. I, too, would like to see a past citation from the deceased Fr. Kerr. Shame on me!

Della is simply being prudent and just in an age of Internet easy believism. Might be good to review the cardinal virtures of Prudence and Justice (CCC 1806,1807).

The suggestion that Della “[q]uit raining on other people’s parades” is something I would expect from unbelievers who want to believe whatever truth is convenient for them. Truth does matter.

No, it doesn’t necessarily “hurt to believe that the Rosary might have saved the girl”.

But does it hurt to confirm the veracity of the story?

Of course it doesn’t hurt to verify it. But until it can be verified, it’s not a ‘danger’ nor ‘carelessness’ to believe it. Believe in it is as good as believing how your well being is sustained until this day by the good Lord… through His mother. Do we have any doubt of that or are we to believe that our well being is due to our own efforts.

Even if the story can be proven to be true, it doesn’t mean non-believers will believe it.

Heck, they have to much to catch up with Catholicism before they believe this story. Best to keep it among ourselves.

 

[holy_moly]

sorry, i misunderstand what you were originally trying to say. i wish there was a delete function in these boards…

would be handy in real life too

 

[Brooklyn]

The originator of this story, Domenico Bettinelli, has posted an update to his blog. It seems Mr. Bettinelli has contacted Fr. Gabriel to corroborate his story:

bettnet.com/blog/index.php/weblog/comments/an_update_on_the_msgr_kerr_ted_bundy_and_rosary_story/

An update on the Msgr Kerr, Ted Bundy, and Rosary story

When I wrote back in May about Msgr. William Kerr, how I met him, and his connection to Ted Bundy and one of his victims, I never imagined it would be spread throughout the Internet. I’ve seen people claim it’s a falsehood and an urban legend. I can only respond that I do acknowledge I heard it third-hand, but that it was transmitted from Msgr. Kerr to my friend Fr. Gabriel and then to me, and I trust them implicitly.

On the other hand, I’ve seen the post lifted in its entirety with a false Associated Press dateline added to it, as if to end more credibility to the story. If you think you’re helping Our Lady and the Holy Spirit with this falsehood, don’t. God doesn’t need any lies to spread the Good News.

In any case, I’ve made a few corrections and updates to the original post. For one thing, I don’t know why I wrote that Msgr. Kerr administered last rites, as I don’t recall Fr. Gabriel telling me that. Everything else I wrote was pretty much spot-on, but I edited a bit to clean up emphases. I also added a section on Msgr. Kerr’s later contacts with Bundy and Bundy’s parents, and the forgiveness of the parents of one victim.

If I’d know how much interest there was in the story, I would have checked my facts with Fr. Gabriel first, but I’m glad he’s contacted me to reassure me on the facts I got right and to nudge me on the bits that needed nudging.

Mr. Bettinelli also made corrections to his original story:

bettnet.com/blog/index.php/weblog/comments/how_i_knew_the_priest_who_ministered_to_ted_bundy_his_victims/

I still hope to eventually talk to Fr. Gabriel myself, and will report back when I do.

Mary

 

[CSN]

Nice - beautiful ending…

 

[Jerry_Marino]

i also heard that God is omnipotent and hears all prayers, that only He can be here with me and also with you there where you are at reading this.

God bless

 

[Adonis33]

i also heard that God is omnipotent and hears all prayers, that only He can be here with me and also with you there where you are at reading this.

God bless

He is omnipotent.

I don’t understand what you are saying.

 

[Everyday_Rosary]

When I was investigating this story myself I found these posts. Interesting back and forth you are having.

I love the Rosary and believe strongly in its power. But I too was wondering if this story was based in fact. I think everyone who is interested in promoting the Rosary should be sure they know their facts before repeating stories. I am glad to see I am not the only one out there looking into things before I go spreading it all over the internet.

This isn’t to say the story is true or not.

No matter how inspiring that story may be, there are many others. St. Marie Louis DeMontfort in *The Secret of the Rosary *said that the Rosary is a special defense of the Church, that it is a powerful instrument for the conversion of sinners and victory over vice, and that it is the favorite method of honoring the Mother of God. I have witnessed this all to be true in my own life.

*The Secret of the Rosary *is a must read for everyone devoted to the Rosary. An insightful and chilling excerpt from that book can be read here. It tells of the Rosary’s power over evil.

The history of the Rosary contains many powerful military victories as well. Many of these are documented and can be read here. I think it is so encouraging to examine these victories. If praying the Rosary saved those nations, I can’t help but think of how praying the Rosary will bring an end to abortion and save America.

To Jesus Through Mary!