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RFK’s Ninth Child Named Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy

Jan. 17, 1965 - The ninth child born to Senator and Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy was named Matthew Maxwell Taylor Kennedy at a baptismal service today at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The baby’s middle names were for Maxwell Taylor, U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam, a good friend of the Kennedys.

Mr. Kennedy became one of General Taylor’s admirers when they both served on a panel set up by President Kennedy to investigate the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion.

Surrounded by a dozen kinsmen, including Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy and her two children, the newest member of the Kennedy family cried once as he was held over a marble baptismal font and a priest placed drops of water on his head. The brief cry was barely audible in the huge Gothic cathedral.

Kathleen Kennedy, 13, and Joseph Patrick, 12, the oldest Kennedy children, were the baby’s godparents. As godparents, they are responsible for Matthew’s religious upbringing in case his parents are unable to take care of it.

The Very Rev. William McCormack, a member of the cathedral staff who performed today’s ceremony, said it was “a little unusual” for a brother and sister to be godparents, but it did not conflict with Church law.

The service officially ended as Father McCormack said: “Go in peace, Matthew, and may the Lord be with you.”

Mr. Kennedy, who reluctantly announced the baby’s name to reporters before the ceremony, took the child in his arms and posed for photographers.

The Senator’s wife, Ethel, was not present. She is still at Roosevelt Hospital, where the baby was born by Caesarean section on Jan. 11.

A hospital spokesman said a hospital stay of 10 days or more was normal after a Caesarean operation and that Mrs. Kennedy might be released Wednesday or Thursday.



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