Posted on 10/26/2009 7:24:55 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o
[Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I) told CNSNews.com that the Catholic Church is doing nothing but fanning “the flames of dissent and discord” by taking the position that it will oppose the health-care reform bill under consideration in Congress unless it is amended to explicitly prohibit funding of abortion.]
Bishop Tobin's rejoinder:
“Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s statement about the Catholic Church’s position on health care reform is irresponsible and ignorant of the facts. But the Congressman is correct in stating that “he can’t understand.” He got that part right.
As I wrote to Congressman Kennedy and other members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation recently, the Bishops of the United States are indeed in favor of comprehensive health care reform and have been for many years. But we are adamantly opposed to health care legislation that threatens the life of unborn children, requires taxpayers to pay for abortion, rations health care, or compromises the conscience of individuals.
Congressman Kennedy continues to be a disappointment to the Catholic Church and to the citizens of the State of Rhode Island. I believe the Congressman owes us an apology for his irresponsible comments. It is my fervent hope and prayer that he will find a way to provide more effective and morally responsible leadership for our state.”
Cybercast News Service Article and Video of Interview with Congressman Kennedy
And yet more: RI Catholic bishop faults Rep. Kennedy on abortion(The Associated Press)
Bishop Assails Pat Kennedy on abortions(Boston Herald)
Kennedy Under Fire for Healthcare Support(United Press International)
224 related news articles at Google
Action Recommendation: Send a copy of this to your bishop, if you have one. Believers of all denominations, get your guys on board. Let's help this infectious "Stop it Right There, Congressman" response become pandemic from sea to shining sea.
See action, above.
Forwarded to my priest.
ping
Incredible. A growing minority of Catholic bishops appear to be pro-life. Someday they will be in the majority—and then it’s hard to imagine what might happen.
Just saw this - it’s about time the Kennedys get some come-uppance. Think the Bish needs to kick his comments up the chain so the rest of ‘em can see what true belief in orthodoxy is... he needs to start with the clergy in Boston.
Awesome news. Thanks for the ping.
It’s too bad we have so many self-serving, self-absorbed “Catholic” politicians (hello Nancy) trying to teach their shepherds how they ought to lead the Church. It’s as if they can’t get over the fact that abortion is a non-negotiable intrinsic evil. Cheers to you, Bishop Tobin.
OUCH! When you make a jerk of yourself so publicly, you deserve such a reprimand. Had he talked to the bishop in private, I am sure the bishop would have explained. But, looking for publicity, he decided to take it public. Got what he deserved.
Of course, the libs will call the bishop “judgmental.”
he cannot understand why anyone wouldn’t want to give him absolute power over the serfs and their children.
Finally.
BTTT
Good.
Good for him — he certainly didn’t mince words! :)
Current Health Care Proposal...
1. Requires taxpayer funded abortion...check
2. Rations health care...check
3. No protection for conscience objections...check
bump
for how much longer with the American Bishops permit the Kennedy family to treat them like used Kleenex?
What happened to the Kennedy family Automatic Indulgence?
Thank you for posting this — about time to see a Bishop go after a Kennedy for his support of abortion. A new day has dawned.
Wait'l they get a load of Christ!
I wish the Pope had an email account. He could turn this around. But, I guess the Vatican is not up to speed yet. Nice letter too bad it is not signed by the Pope himself.
Doesn't his Grace understand that with Ted still dead, the Kennedy Quality Control Program on Drugs and Alcohol must continue at all costs ...taxpayer-borne costs, that is?
Too bad Bishop Tobin did not demonstrate the same spin when Zero spoke at Notre Dame. Nevertheless, I do appreciate his stance on the health care legislation.
benedictxvi@vatican.va
His email address is benedictxvi@vatican.va. Knock yourself out! ;-)
Bishop Tobin is spot on! Joe Kennedy is not the smartest fellow in the congress; add to that a disordered mind, and you will hear nothing intelligent or enlightened on this matter from the likes of him. Unfortunate but true!
We can only pray that Joe Kennedy repents and is inspired by the Holy Spirit to right his wrong ways. Right now his hands are stained with the blood of the unborn denied their right to life, IMO.
With old Ted gone, Catholic leaders might be more comfortable taking on a Kennedy. In any event, kudos to Bishop Tobin!
Kennedy “irresponsible, ignorant”
Yeah, as far as I’m concerned, that statement applies to whole Klan of Kennedy’s.
(No sarcasm intended.)
This article is not about Rep. Joseph Kennedy (son of RFK). He retired from office a while ago when he was being held responsible by his first (and under Canon Law) only wife Sheila Rauch Kennedy. This article is about the brainless and drug-ridden and boozing twit (son and true heir of Teddy Bare) who represents the Providence district in Rhode Island and is making a fool of himself (but I repeat myself). Next, Bishop Tobin should tell Patches (the twit’s nickname) to vote against any babykilling “health” bill or to stop receiving the Eucharist until he has publicly and believably repented. The example of Henry II doing penance physically at the grave of St. Thomas a Becket comes to mind. Perhaps the headline can be revised???
This article is about Patrick "Patches" Kennedy, son of the recently deceased moral reprobate Edward Moore Kennedy.
I alert the AM and asked them to change it from Joe to Patrick.
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:
Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.
Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment
Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”
I am not sure how I ended up on your list, but please remove me. While I have spent some time studying the Roman Catholic Church and its teaching, I am not Catholic and do not engage in Catholic activism.
Thank you.
My point was he could have prevented OZero from speaking at ND and he could have smacked down the Kennedys....How about some oversight of the flock here.
WITHOUT A DOUBT
My Interview with President Obama
BY BISHOP THOMAS J. TOBIN
2/12/09 12:00 am
(The following is an interview I didn’t have, but can imagine having, with President Obama.)
BISHOP TOBIN: First of all, Mr. President, congratulations on your election and inauguration. They were certainly historic events that inspired a renewed sense of unity and hope for many Americans.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you, Bishop Tobin. Yes, the goal of my campaign and election was to bring people together, to heal the divisions of the recent past and to inspire new hope for all the citizens of our great country.
TOBIN: I think we’d all agree that your goals of unity and hope are very worthwhile. But for that very reason, many of us were surprised, and even disappointed, that you signed an executive order overturning the so-called “Mexico City Policy” within the first few days of your administration. As you know, your action directs that American tax dollars be used to fund abortions overseas. Why did you have to act so quickly on such a controversial policy?
OBAMA: Well, I believe it was important for me to fulfill the campaign promises I made to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. After all, they’re among my biggest supporters and I don’t want to disappoint them.
TOBIN: But the use of tax dollars to pay for abortions is very controversial. It’s a divisive policy. It violates the conscience of millions of Americans who respect life and oppose abortion. Isn’t that completely contrary to your goal of fostering unity in the nation?
OBAMA: Bishop Tobin, let’s be clear. I said in my inauguration speech that with all the problems our nation is facing we have to overcome narrow ideological positions and move beyond childish behaviors.
TOBIN: But, Mr. President, providing tax money to support abortion – isn’t that in itself an ideological position?
OBAMA: No, not in my view.
TOBIN: But do you consider the heartfelt convictions of pro-lifers to be “childish behaviors?”
OBAMA: Well, not exactly, but let’s move on . . .
TOBIN: Is it safe to assume that you consider the use of tax dollars to pay for abortions overseas to be good foreign policy?
OBAMA: I believe that people overseas should have the same rights we Americans have – the right to kill their children and use abortion as a form of birth control.
TOBIN: But shouldn’t we be using foreign aid for more positive reasons – for example, to provide food, clothing, shelter and medicine to impoverished children?
OBAMA: Bishop, obviously you’re missing the point. If you control the population and eliminate the children, you don’t have to worry about giving them food, clothing, shelter and medicine now do you?
TOBIN: Mr. President, during the campaign you said that you wanted to reduce the number of abortions. And yet now you’re providing American tax dollars to encourage abortions overseas. Isn’t that a contradiction?
OBAMA Let me be clear. During the campaign, I was talking about American babies. People in other countries have to make their own decisions about killing their children, and if that’s what they want to do, I’m willing to help them. But let’s move on . . .
TOBIN: Sir, you’ve taken a very strong stance against the use of torture, a decision that’s been widely applauded. But at the same time, some scientific studies have shown that the procedures used in abortion cause terrible pain and suffering for the unborn child. Isn’t that a form of torture too?
OBAMA: Um . . . let me get back to you on that.
TOBIN: Mr. President, there’s a very good chance that during your term in office you’ll have the opportunity to appoint new justices to the Supreme Court. When that opportunity comes, will you use the support of abortion as a litmus test for their appointment?
OBAMA: I don’t believe in litmus tests for court appointments. But you can rest assured that no one who respects the right to life for unborn children will get anywhere near the Supreme Court.
TOBIN: Mr. President, don’t you see the contradiction in what you just said?
OBAMA: No I don’t, but please . . . can’t we just move on?
TOBIN: Alright, then let’s get to the heart of the question. Mr. President, when does life begin?
OBAMA: That question, Bishop, is way above my pay grade.
TOBIN: Mr. President, you have a consistent record of supporting abortion, and you’ve been called the most pro-abortion president ever. In light of your radical pro-abortion stance, can you and your administration give any hope at all to pro-life Americans?
OBAMA: To quote my favorite campaign slogan, “Yes we can.”
TOBIN: Can you be more specific?
OBAMA: No I can’t. But, Bishop Tobin I see that the clock is ticking away and our time is up. Unfortunately we’ll have to wrap-up our interview.
TOBIN: Thank you for your time Mr. President, and happy Presidents Day.
OBAMA: Thank-you, Bishop Tobin. And please extend my appreciation to all my friends in Rhode Island who voted for me.
Thanks for the correction. But it sounds like the son of "Teddy Bare" is a genuine dreg and equal to or worse than Joe!
That is dreg as in "all the king's morons and the king's dregs." It is a Humpty Dumpty thing.
Mrs. Don-o—thanks for this info.
I applaud Bishop Tobin. It is this kind of straight talk we need more of in this debate. The Bishop did his job also, by defending the Catholic faith and beliefs.
Godless representatives like Patrick Kennedy need to be called out on their spiritual and moral depravity.
There ARE worse things than “fanning the flames of discord”.
>>”Of course, the libs will call the bishop ‘judgmental.’ “
>
>Wait’l they get a load of Christ!
LOL - Good observation!
(Nice tag-line, too.)
We are not talking about sending an army. We are talking about communicating your leadership.
Just excommunicate the heretic.
“Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s statement about the Catholic Church’s position on health care reform is irresponsible and ignorant of the facts. But the Congressman is correct in stating that “he can’t understand.” He got that part right.
Hey Bish!
Good start. Now, just to send a message, why can't we just excommunicate the steaming pile?
You would think if he legislates in opposition to the doctrine that would be taking place. However, can't be the case as demonstrated with Nanny state Pelosi and that recently planted 'lion' of the Senate.
It’s about time someone stood up to the phony Catholic Kennedys! He needs a raise! I think he’d make a great Cardinal. All in favor....
Thanks for the ping!
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