They were the most prominent political family of a half century, the family of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy. They also were the most prominent Roman Catholic family in the country, with John F. Kennedy the first and only Catholic ever elected to the presidency.

In a very interesting speech back in 1983, the late Sen. Kennedy spoke with humor and insight about his own Catholic faith, and the intersection of faith and politics. The speech to the late Jerry Falwell’s Liberty Baptist College came just three years after Kennedy’s own failed attempt to win the White House. David Brody of CBN.com uncovered the speech, and provided some excerpts:

"I have come here to discuss my beliefs about faith and country, tolerance and truth in America,” Kennedy said.

“I know we begin with certain disagreements; I strongly suspect that at the end of the evening some of our disagreements will remain. But I also hope that tonight and in the months and years ahead, we will always respect the right of others to differ, that we will never lose sight of our own fallibility, that we will view ourselves with a sense of perspective and a sense of humor. After all, in the New Testament, even the Disciples had to be taught to look first to the beam in their own eyes, and only then to the mote in their neighbor’s eyes….

“I am an American and a Catholic; I love my country and treasure my faith. But I do not assume that my conception of patriotism or policy is invariably correct, or that my convictions about religion should command any greater respect than any other faith in this pluralistic society. I believe there surely is such a thing as truth, but who among us can claim a monopoly on it?"

"There are those who do, and their own words testify to their intolerance. For example, because the Moral Majority has worked with members of different denominations, one fundamentalist group has denounced Dr. Falwell for hastening the ecumenical church and for "yoking together with Roman Catholics, Mormons, and others." I am relieved that Dr. Falwell does not regard that as a sin, and on this issue, he himself has become the target of narrow prejudice. When people agree on public policy, they ought to be able to work together, even while they worship in diverse ways. For truly we are all yoked together as Americans, and the yoke is the happy one of individual freedom and mutual respect."