Posted on 11/26/2009 5:15:11 AM PST by NYer
Bishop Thomas Tobin of Rhode Island clarified his reasons for denying pro-abortion politicians Communion on Tuesday, noting that such politicians are not forced to be Catholic - but if they choose to, they must then “understand what the Church teaches, accept those teachings, and live that faith.”
“The most important commitment we can make is our faith, because that defines our relationship with God. Nothing is more important than that. And if your job, your profession, your vocation gets in the way of that, you have to quit your job and save your soul,” said Tobin in an appearance on the FOX Network’s “O’Reilly Factor” Tuesday night.
Bishop Tobin has been at the center of controversy after it was revealed that he told the Catholic pro-abortion Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) in 2007 to refrain from receiving Communion. Kennedy originally sparked the public feud by accusing the Catholic Church of fanning the “flames of dissent and discord” by opposing the pro-abortion House health care bill.
Tobin denied that his decision to ban Rep. Kennedy from Communion was a “punishment.”
“Every Catholic has certain obligations, it means something to say you are a Catholic. No one is forced to be a Catholic,” said the bishop.
“If you choose freely to be a Catholic it means you do certain things, and you believe certain things, and I think all I’m trying to say to Congressman Kennedy and others who might be involved, say: if you’re a Catholic, live up to your faith. Understand what the Church teaches, accept those teachings, and live that faith.”
Tobin also defended the Church’s basic right to intercede in public debate on behalf of universal moral principles.
“If the church, not just the Catholic Church, but the religious community - if we don’t bring these values, this spiritual vision to these discussions, who else will do that?” said Tobin.
The tenor of the interview starkly contrasted with Tobin’s appearance on MSNBC’s “Hardball” with Chris Matthews Monday night, in which the Catholic Matthews lectured the bishop and accused Tobin of using public policy as leverage in getting Kennedy to heed his authority.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Catholic League Rebukes MSNBC’s Matthews for ‘Insulting Lecture’ in Bp. Tobin Interview
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/nov/09112409.html
Nor are Catholics forced to remain in the church.
I really like the new “smack down” attitude being taken by leaders like Bishop Tobin.
I thought liberals were all about "choice" -- apparently they don't like THIS choice.
I also thinks it helps having Pope Benedict, who in my opinion is the smartest person in public life.
I do too! Bring back the fire & brimstone!
Good for Bishop Tobin. These megalomaniacs (Kennedy, Matthews, and their ilk) think they can boss God around. This passage is particularly interesting:
“The tenor of the interview starkly contrasted with Tobin’s appearance on MSNBC’s “Hardball” with Chris Matthews Monday night, in which the Catholic Matthews lectured the bishop and accused Tobin of using public policy as leverage in getting Kennedy to heed his authority.
“
If Matthews is a Catholic, then I’m the Pope. The Bishop is spot on. Nobody is forced to be Catholic. But if you want to be one, or claim to be one, then you obey the rules and tenets of the Church which are inspired by God.
I would love to meet Matthews face to face. I’m not a violent person, but I think I just might be tempted to kick his sorry a$$. Remember Chrissie ... tracer rounds work both ways.
Basic common sense and spiritual wisdom in leadership. Keep praying for our clergy, that they be supported on the path of holiness and be granted courage to lead and teach rightly.
I don’t understand these so called Catholic politicians
If you don’t agree with the teachings why stay
Of course the brain of the vast majority of politicians has been corrupted by arrogance and lust for power that nothing they do makes sense
Diocese of Providence - 401/278-4500
Office of Communications - 401/278-4600
kdavis@dioceseofprovidence.org
My fan letter to Bishop Tobin
Bishop Thomas Tobin
1 Cathedral Square
Providence, RI 02903
We're grateful for what you said to Patrick Kennedy. Moreover, we're grateful for the way you said it. Plain language. Not a load of equivocating ecclesiastical bafflegab. Charitable, truthful, and to the point.
A good example for every one of us.
We will pray for the timely repentance of Patrick Kennedy.
And we will thank God--- and thank you --- that it is still possible to find a Catholic in the hierarchy.
Sincerely,
The [Don-o and Mrs. Don-o] Family
Diocese of Providence - 401/278-4500
Office of Communications - 401/278-4600
kdavis@dioceseofprovidence.org
My fan letter to Bishop Tobin
Bishop Thomas Tobin
1 Cathedral Square
Providence, RI 02903
We're grateful for what you said to Patrick Kennedy. Moreover, we're grateful for the way you said it. Plain language. Not a load of equivocating ecclesiastical bafflegab. Charitable, truthful, and to the point.
A good example for every one of us.
We will pray for the timely repentance of Patrick Kennedy.
And we will thank God--- and thank you --- that it is still possible to find a Catholic in the hierarchy.
Sincerely,
The [Don-o and Mrs. Don-o] Family
I agree, but it ain’t a smackdown, they’ve just figured out how to get this done and they need to do it.
They have been letting these politicians instruct Catholics on matters of faith and millions are being murdered or led astray.
It has been a slow turn, but it seems like the CHurch has finally got a lot of clergy and leadership in the right positions.
I actually do not hear about the old liberal, hippy priests, as I used to many years ago. I don’t think they are making it through the seminaries.
ping
It seems to me that the role of the bishops in these United Stated, consistent with the declaration of the North West Ordinance of 1787 is to teach morality by argument and persuasion. Let the acceptance of their teaching depend upon the strength and rightness of their argument, not upon assumed power to interdict, intimidate, or excommunicate.
Any and all presumed moral authority loses authenticity should past behavior exhibit inconsistencies in attempting to impose by authority rather than by argument. In this area the teaching on birth control, most probably not accepted by a majority of Catholics because they do not believe it to be right, weakens the persuasive argument relative to the teaching on abortion which most Catholics probably believe to be correct.
Many would argue that the selection of bishops under John Paul II have not been overly based upon their pastoral or intellectual qualities but rather upon their total acceptance of an agenda which has seen the downfall of the Church throughout Europe and the Americas. To put it bluntly - we lack leadership and thus the moral authority to be persuasive. It is the weak, not the strong who rule by excommunications.
If you turn the clock back a few months, the Kennedy family released excerpts from a letter written by an aide to Pope Benedict XV in response to a letter Kennedy had written to His Holiness. The family did not release the entire letter, but what they did release read as if Kennedy was pleading for release from an Interdict or an Excommunication.
I suspect Patches Kennedy is angry about that and his own admonishment and is not trying to hijack the Catholic Church just as his father and those like him hijacked the Democrat Party.
These are 'cultural' Catholics who have never truly studied their faith; hence they cannot apply it to their lives. Worse still, some or these dissidents have organized themselves into national groups, such as 'Call to Action' or 'Catholics for a Free Choice'. They are of the false impression that by speaking out, they will force the Catholic Church to alter or change its teachings to suit their views. Nothing could be farther from the truth. As dissenters, they are guaranteed media attention. That is motive enough to remain.
Me three!
Just as these are cultural Catholics there are a plenty of cultural Evangelical Protestants that need an admonishment from their Pastors or church leadership.
I hope this stings consciences and starts a trend.
How about they stay and fight to what is right.
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