Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin has publicly asked Rep. Patrick Kennedy to stop taking communion with the Catholic Church due to his support for abortion, confirming that he asked Kennedy to refrain from communion in a private discussion in 2007. The confrontation became public after Kennedy revealed the 2007 conversation. The move could embolden other bishops in barring public officials from the sacrament, particularly in light of the health bill’s protection of abortion services.
Kennedy touched off the public spat in an interview with the Providence Journal when he revealed Tobin’s ban due “the positions that I’ve taken as a public official.” Tobin was clearly upset about the disclosure, stating that it was “pastoral and confidential.” He stated “I am disappointed that the congressman would make public my request of nearly three years ago that sought to provide solely for his spiritual well-being.” While Tobin may feel that he has caused to ban Kennedy, I find it a bit curious that he would first ban a man for his public positions and then be angry that Kennedy publicly discussed the ban with his voters. If the cause for the ban was Kennedy’s public work, he was more than within his rights to raise it with his voters and fellow Catholics.
The bishop is promising more public exchanges if Kennedy continues to speak out: “I have no desire to continue the discussion of Congressman Kennedy’s spiritual life in public. At the same time, I will absolutely respond publicly and strongly whenever he attacks the Catholic Church, misrepresents the teachings of the church or issues inaccurate statements about my pastoral ministry.”
Other leading Catholic leaders have faced similar moves by local priests over their votes in Congress, here and here.
For the full story, click here.
this bishop is just embarrassing himself and the church.
abortion is a legal medical procedure and if Kennedy or any other catholic wants to work to keep a woman’s right to choose safe and legal, that is their right.
too bad if this bishop doesn’t like it.
Here’s the link: (duh)
http://www.truthout.org/1117091?print
Yesterday I heard an original composition called: Martyrdom of the Basiji. It was written in honor of the young boys and old men Khomeini asked to run over the land mines during the Iraq/Iran war. Once they had exploded the mines the strong men could safely run over the now cleared mine fields. He gave each child and old man a plastic key to carry as they entered the fields, so upon their deaths, they could enter the gates of heaven.
Religions are a death cult. Our society is a death cult. This is a link to a story of our military’s recruitment of kindergärtners. I put it here because 1. this thread shows the utter contempt with which the lives of children are held and 2. this is a day to call and tell the president and our congresss that we won’t vote/help them if they continue to support the death cult of war. They are giving plastic keys to our young people. It is reprehensible and they most be stopped.
Patrick Kennedy had a abortion?
What the church needs is some non-cannibal wafers. They’ll look just like the body of christ ones but they can be given out to whomever the priest doesn’t like today. No one but the priest will know who’s soul is so black that they can’t be a cannibal at the service.
Buddha,
That’s true. Unless abuse victims are able to go after the god-father and his many riches, the church is just fine and dandy. They only act poor to avoid paying damages for their “acceptable” sins against children, but financially, they are loaded.
Swarthmore mom–
P.S. I don’t go any more either.
Swarthmore mom–
I was just being sarcastic.
The church may say the sexual abuse of children is a mortal sin–but in the collective eyes of the church, some mortal sins are less forgivable than others…especially where women are concerned.
Jill–
“Also, this is clearly about the chruch’s war on women. They aren’t pulling communion for funding/starting wars or supporting the death penalty. I guess some parts of church doctrine or more equal than others.”
************
I agree. One has to keep women in their place, you know. Consider, too, how the church frowns on the use of contraceptives.
And let’s be clear about something else too.
The RCC isn’t in hock over anything. If one thinks that, one truly has no grasp on the financial scope of the institution. It’s the first multi-national corporation in many ways.
They are avoiding prosecution and damages owed. Fleeing not only justice, but truth and the very words of the book they profess to have a corner on.
The Pope will still be able to wear the silly hats and ride in the Popemobile even if they pay out every dime owed and justly due.
Elaine I think the church probably does consider sexual abuse a mortal sin but a sin that one can receive absolution for. Any sex outside if marriage is a mortal sin to the RCC but you can confess it and go on and receive communion I guess they view criticism as an unforgivable mortal sin. No wonder i don’t go any more.
Elaine,
Good point! This level of hypocrisy is really sickening.
Awww.
The poor old child molesters won’t share their punch and cookies.
I’m thinking “all of my love and compassion to everyone . . . except for those bastards over there” is not one of Jesus’ teachings.
mespo,
I agree. If it’s supposed to be confidential on the part of the priest, what part of “confidential” doesn’t he understand? The burden of keeping his mouth shut rests on the priest, not the congregate. Basically, this is blackmail.
The church really needs to have its tax exempt status pulled. They’ve racked up more than enough evidence to do so.
Also, this is clearly about the chruch’s war on women. They aren’t pulling communion for funding/starting wars or supporting the death penalty. I guess some parts of church doctrine or more equal than others.
Cardinal Law of the archdiocese of Boston, other officials of the Catholic church, and some pastors in Massachusetts allowed pedophiles to remain priests–transferring them to different parishes once it was found out what they had done. Everything was kept quiet. Parishoners had no idea about the background of their “new” priests–some of whom were still allowed access to children.
Cardinal Law had to resign as archbishop of Boston once the story went public and lots of lawsuits were filed against the church–but he’s still a respected member of the hierarchy. In fact, he’s now in charge of a fine basilica in Rome.
These religious folks aren’t barred from receiving Communion. Many are still consecrating the host at Mass. I guess they’re not seen to be sinners like Kennedy.
Evidently the church doesn’t consider the sexual abuse of children a terrible–or mortal–sin.
It’s funny that the door to this nonsense was opened by the fundamentalist Protestants who worried that Catholics would set up a theocracy. Instead, they decided to shred the Constitution and tell lies about the roots of American democracy. The Kennedys used to be able to basically buy off the Church hierarchy, now they have a Bishop who is both emboldened and defanged. A Churchthat’s in hock up to its eyeballs because of pedophile scandals is in no position to be throwing its weight around like this.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oppHeMlaLVM&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
“I have no desire to continue the discussion of Congressman Kennedy’s spiritual life in public. At the same time, I will absolutely respond publicly and strongly whenever he attacks the Catholic Church, misrepresents the teachings of the church or issues inaccurate statements about my pastoral ministry.”
*****************
“Strongly” and “publicly”? That’s a pretty fair description of the auto de fé . Welcome to the the Thirteenth Century.
Professor Off Topic
Here is an unusual twist on children not going to see the non custodial parent.
“Go to jail or spend time with Dad”
Selected out of article.
The judge sends him to “juvenile detention” center, just because he does not want to “visit” with his father! A “contempt of court” charge! What’s MORE important? A contempt of court charge, or the emotional trauma this child is forced to endure??? It will only made this child more bitter, more rebellious, more non-compliment, so really nothing “positive” gets accomplished.
Link: http://justicewinds.blogspot.com/2009/11/go-to-jail-or-spend-time-with-dad.html
More traditional.
WI: Judge jails mother over daughter’s refusal to visit father
On November 12, Marinette County Circuit Court Judge David Miron sentenced a mother to 30 days in jail for her daughter’s repeated refusal to comply with court ordered visitation with her father. Loraine Tipton was immediately taken into custody following the contempt hearing.
Link: http://www.nowpublic.com/world/wi-judge-jails-mother-over-daughters-refusal-visit-father
This one makes a better read.
It seems Edwards son is making a name for himself about the same time frame. He has a right to his opinion as much as the Bishop, because this was a personal matter it is this mans prerogative to make public or not, not the Bishops. However becuase of other personal issues it seems to me that the Bishop was attempting to emotionally blackmail Patrick. Or it seems that the time frame is about the same.
Hopefully this young ma will have learned his lesson about alcohol and drugs as a “practicing Kennedy” but only time will tell. His actions and law enforcement involvement in his life are telling different story’s to the same end.
On a personal level I hope he cleans up. On a spiritual level that is a decision between he and his conscience. I think that this is really about the National Health Care and Abortion.
I just found a nifty article that should send some people over the edge with the RI RCC.
“Priests Protesting Vatican Visitation of Women Religious Orders.” It appears that the sisters have been accused of assisting with abortions and with the support of the menly priest that also support investigation of priest abuses.
The Bishop must be boiling…..