Henry Hyde Honored with "Bipartisan" Funeral Mass

(Hat tip: PewSitter.com)

From The Chicago Tribune:

Henry Hyde was remembered today by political allies and opponents alike as a politician who acted on deep and sincere principles and treated even ardent opponents with dignity and respect.

Several hundred people, including former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and fellow congressmen, honored Hyde during a funeral mass Friday at St. John Neumannn Catholic Church in St. Charles.

Hyde -- who led the Judiciary Committee that impeached President Bill Clinton and who sponsored an amendment that banned federal funding of abortions -- was never motivated by partisan politics but by deeply held beliefs, colleagues said.

"I never saw Henry as an abortion foe. It didn't matter to me. Henry was good man, a great man," said U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who noted that Hyde mentored him in the ways of Congress. "Henry Hyde was not an impeacher," the Democrat said. "He was a public servant and a good man."

Hyde, 83, served 32 years in the House of Representatives -- and, in particular, the 6th Congressional District, which encompasses much of DuPage County. He died Nov. 29 of heart failure.

In Congress, Hyde was known for his civility, sense of humor, intellect and oratory skills, colleagues said.

"Henry Hyde was not just a congressional hero. He was an American hero. And on a personal note, he was my hero," said House Minority Leader John Boehner. "Henry Hyde was always the clear, calm and commanding voice for justice for the defenseless and the innocent."

U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood said the fact that both Democrats and Republicans paid respects to Hyde was a testament to how Hyde treated everyone -- even ideological opponents -- with respect.

"This was a bipartisan Catholic mass in the very best sense of the word," LaHood said.

My Comments:
A "bipartisan" Mass? I didn't realize the Sacrifice of our Lord and our God took politics into account.


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
Henry Hyde - Tireless Defender of the Unborn, RIP

Henry Hyde Awarded Medal of Freedom

Henry Hyde to Get Presidential Medal of Freedom for Opposing Abortion

Hyde and Scalia, Catholics With Consequences