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 ...
Good.
Not so. It’s God who created this clueless young Kennedy’s life. Kennedy’s gone badly astray. But he can still repent and start walking toward the destination for which he was created: grace, a life well lived, and a vast eternity of joy.
Winters is exactly and precisely wrong. Bishop Tobin is obliged by law to deny Holy Communion to an impenitent man in Kennedy's position (Canon 915 --- Google that ---uses the word "must"), and this is what the Church calls a "medicinal penalty" because it is intended to make a desperately sick soul aware that repentance is urgently needed.
Bishop Tobin's action was an act of kindness and diligent pastoral care. Mindful of Corinthians 11:17, he knows that for Kennedy to receive under these circumstances would be like letting him eat spiritual cyanide. He would be eating and drinking his own condemnation.
There, fixed it for ya.
“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.”
If you haven’t noticed were in the short run and if you don’t understand the difference between this and what a RINO is...
They'd still have me and my family so, that is greater than zero so, you are wrong.
How is it possible that an active, "in good standing" Catholic - IN A POSITION OF POWER - is given communion by a PRIEST knowing this person is committing the MORTAL SIN of actively creating or supporting policies that kill unborn babies??????
DOES THAT MAKE ANY SENSE?... No, it doesn't!
The same thing should be done with all the other so call "Catholics" in PUBLIC OFFICE who do the same thing.
THIS IS FANTASTIC!...bold and courageous. Actions speak louder than words
I think we will see more Catholic Bishops mirrorig Bishop Thomas Tobin.
It only takes one to get it started. Expect more.
The membership of the Catholic Church would increase dramatically if that happened.
There will be more to come. Stay tuned!
Good now they should kick his arse out of the church.
We need more good bishops like this. We certainly need to support them in prayer...REGULARLY!
We also need to pray consistently for the continued cleansing of our Church, starting with ourselves. ;-)
“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.”
This paper is attempting to portray the BISHOP as a RADICAL. The corrupt and inept press of today attempts to paint anyone who stands up for traditional moral virtues as RADICAL (although they mean it in a negative sense.)
“...son of a recently heaven-denied murderer,...”
Although I completely understand your sentiment, only God knows where Kennedy is right now.
Good for Bishop Tobin! I’m sure Patrick will ignore him, because he’s just that arrogant that he doesn’t think the rules should apply to him, but he’ll have to answer to God for that.
Where are you going to get them? There's only two places, either they come from Independents or converted RATS. We're running out of people and they're importing more illegals.
No, it wouldn't. There would still be we who are orthodox, but it would certainly thin the liberal herd. ;o)
WRONG. diminished, but authentic, NOT zip.
Well said.
Thanks.
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