Bishop Thomas Tobin
Catholic Ping
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Posted on 11/22/2009 5:35:40 AM PST by NYer
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has banned Rep. Patrick Kennedy from receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, in Rhode Island because of the congressman's support for abortion rights, Kennedy said in a newspaper interview published Sunday.
The decision by the outspoken prelate, reported on The Providence Journal's Web site, significantly escalates a bitter dispute between Tobin, an ultra orthodox bishop, and Kennedy, a son of the nation's most famous Roman Catholic family.
"The bishop instructed me not to take Communion and said that he has instructed the diocesan priests not to give me Communion," Kennedy told the paper in an interview conducted Friday.
Kennedy said the bishop had explained the penalty by telling him "that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I've taken as a public official," particularly on abortion.
He declined to say when or how Tobin told him not to take the sacrament. And he declined to say whether he has obeyed the bishop's injunction.
The paper said the bishop's spokesman declined to address the question of whether he had told Kennedy not to receive Communion. But the bishop's office cast doubt on Kennedy's related assertion about instructions to state priests.
"Bishop Tobin has never addressed matters relative to public officials receiving Holy Communion with pastors of the diocese," spokesman Michael K. Guilfoyle told the paper in an e-mailed statement.
Kennedy did not return messages left on his cell phone by The Associated Press, and his staff refused to make the congressman available for comment. Tobin's spokesman told the AP that the bishop would not comment on the issue.
Church law permits Tobin to ban Kennedy from receiving Communion within the Diocese of Providence, which covers Rhode Island, but he cannot stop Kennedy from receiving Communion elsewhere. It was unclear whether bishops overseeing Washington and
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Catholic Ping
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Finally!!!!
(Oh, I forgot. Another cafeteria-style 'catholic.'
This Bishop is truly a man of God. If only we had more like him.
If everyone who was pro-choce and/or uses contraceptives stayed away from church, their membership would be zip.
"... whatever... you know... that means, in Priest-speak. Cripes, I'm so freakin' hung over, most Sunday mornings, I can practically see Mary Jo wavin' at me from the bar stool a good two, three waitresses over, an'... an'... hey, you gonna eat that onion? I haven't had any breakfast yet." ;)
I’m confused on this one.
What purpose did Kennedy have in revealing this in a newspaper article? Since the bishop isn’t talking, how do we know its even true?
Second, the story says that the bishop is “ultra orthodox”. What does the “ultra” mean. Someone is either orthodox or heterodox, what does the modifier “ultra” really indicate about Tobin.
Sounds like the logic of the GOP. If we get rid of the RINOs we'd never win elections. Maybe in the short run, but I have to believe we'd attract new people of good conscience.
I believe God would prefer it that way Saca. Making a mockery of His Church on Earth would be a travesty and receiving communion would be compounding mortal sin.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has banned Rep. Patrick Kennedy from receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, in Rhode Island because of the congressman’s support for abortion rights
FINALLY some spine.
You cannot abort the innocents, Patrick, and accept the eucharist.
About damned time.
I hope the rest of the Church hierarchy gets some stones and does this with Kerry, Pelosi, et al.
It is about time that more of these Catholic leaders stand up this way.
Thats like saying if all the honest people stayed out of government their membership would be zip.
Newsmax.com
Religious Leaders Call for Civil Disobedience if Laws Don’t Respect Faith
Saturday, November 21, 2009 2:52 PM
A formidable coalition of 150 Catholic, Orthodox and evangelical leaders are calling on Christians in a new manifesto to reject secular authority – and even engage in civil disobedience – if laws force them to accept abortion, same-sex marriage and other ideas that betray their religious beliefs. ...
excerpt
http://www.newsmax.com/headlines/wuerl_colson_christian/2009/11/21/289471.html
This is not about everyone; it is about a political figure from a prominent family. He and other CINO politicians create scandal when they receive communion.
Most of the Kennedys don.t follow the rules of the Catholic Church, according to all reports.
This Kennedy is no exception and some one poured chlorine in the gene pool of the Kennedys prior to this guy’s Birth.
Not being Catholic, I have no "dog" in this fight, personally... but: c'mon. Either Man changes at the behest of the Church, or the Church changes at the behest of Man. And I'm reasonably certain the Bible leans decidedly towards the former, rather than the latter. ;)
Well good on this. About time the Catholic clergy take a stand.
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