Question: Bishop Tobin vs. Rep. Patrick Kennedy
Published: November 10, 2009
Updated: November 12, 2009
Reader Reactions
Yes, Senora, people need to make their own choices, that’s called the God-given gift of “Free Will” - we learn about that in CCD class in 1st grade… so it’s really GOOD that Patrick Kennedy actually knows about that, as a self-avowed “faithful Catholic”, isn’t it? But then as a faithful Catholic ADULT, we all have the RESPONSIBILITY to have a FULLY INFORMED CONSCIENCE - and Free Will down’t mean doing any fool thing that you just feel like doing. Sin is still sin. Good is good, bad is bad. And just because you feel like doing something, or you don’t want to do some other thing, doesn’t make it any more good, or less of a sin. And saying you “believe” it to be different, doesn’t make a horse into a cow, or a dog into a cat, or an abortion into a gift to all humanity. An abortion is an INTRINSIC EVIL - and always will be. Sin is sin. You can’t whitewash it can call it “healthcare” and then say it’s someone’s “choice” and call it not sin. Sure - everyone has the choice to sin or not sin - we all have free will. That’s why we have the gift of Confession. Isn’t God good?
I believe that Patrick Kennedy’s vote ensures health coverage for ALL Americans. I, too, am a Catholic and I believe that what decisions a person makes with their health issues is a matter between them and their God. All the good that Patrick Kennedy does would not be forgotten by our Lord because he believes that women (or men) have the right to decide what to do with their body.
am deeply concerned about the turns and twist that the Catholic Church is taking on this issue? I would think that Bishop Tobin would follow the Catholic Doctrine of “lead by actions, not words”. Where in the Bible does it sa y that you should turn your back on people that do not believe as you do?
Well here is your wonderful Catholic Church acting like a bunch of spoiled brats who don’t get their own way: Catholic Church Says It Will Stop Charity Work If D.C. Passes Gay Marriage Law
Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 12, 2009, 2:36Pm
The D.C. city council is weeks away from possibly passing a law that would legalize gay marriage in the city. Though controversial with some religious groups in the city, council sources and gay rights advocates say the law is destined for passage in the nation’s capital, and supporters here expect to see the first legally recognized same-sex weddings in D.C. by spring. But today, the Washington-area Catholic Archdiocese told the city that legalizing gay marriage will cost D.C. the social services and charity work the church offers to help the city’s homeless and other low-income populations. This even written in your Catholic papers. This is very sad when the church will stop helping people who need it because they are not getting their way. Shame on you. This only proves to me more & more I’m glad I stepped away from the church.
Bishop Tobin not only has a right to question Rep. faith as a Catholic, but he has a duty as diocesan bishop to instruct the faithful on the Church’s position on faith and morals.
Further, like any other citizen, he has the right to do so with impunity. Perhaps the question should be: Is the bishop of Providence any less a citizen because he exercised his right of freedom of speech?
Respectfully yours,
A faithful Catholic and citizen.
The sexual scandal within the Catholic Church has deeply disturbed many people, both Catholic and non-Catholic, and in no way would I ever defend the horrible priests who violated not only the trust and innocence of their victims, but the trust of their parishioners as well as their sacred vows to God. They should have all been defrocked immediately and handed over to the civil authorities.
I understand how this scandal could quickly become the lens through which all actions of the Church, and all disagreements with the Church, could be viewed.
However, it should be noted that the rate of abuse among Catholic priests mirrors the rate of abuse among public school teachers. So, for those of you who are shouting, “hypocrites!,“ or even thinking it, I have this question: Have you spent as much energy demonizing and castigating public school teachers as you have Catholic priests?
Just a head’s up for anyone thinking this poll is indicative for anything:
A Catholic priest from Wausau WI is encouraging his readers to pump the voting here (this appears to be part of his MO):
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2009/11/poll-alert-bp-tobin-and-rep-p-kennedy/
I have spent a couple of days thinking about all of you, praying for you as I said, wondering if you would calm down and perhaps see reason. BOY WAS I WRONG! I hear someone in the back of the room pointing out that they haven’t asked for me to pray for them. Well, aparently someone should as it’s quite evident that you are not praying on your own. As far as reason goes, well I’m not sure if most of you could see reason if it was tattooed on the inside of your eyelids!
First, again, the separation of church and state was designed by The Framers to prohibit the state from outlawing any or even all religions and/or to keep the state from mandating a “required” religion. That’s it. No wonder you’re having trouble with it…it’s too simple and makes way too much sense. I can see how that would be a problem for Liberals, pesky things like facts usually are.
Second, and this one’s a question, when did the politically-correct wing of the Democratic party say it was ok to eviserate someone’s religion? I must have missed something because I’m pretty sure it’s still bad to disrespect a Jew, or a Bhudist, or a Muslim! Why is it a good thing then to do this to a Christian or a Catholic? For such a sensitive crowd one might assume you were respectful of different religions…hmm…strange.
Third, some of you have said that you are a “recovering catholic” as you have aparently left the faith. Would it be ok for me to assume that a dead jihadist is a “recovering muslim”? See, hurtful to say ill things about another’s religion.
Four, it has been sugested that “any” religious leader refrane from speaking out on Political issues. Gee, I wonder if Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Rev. Louis Farrakhan will ever shut up about everything Politcal. Should be any day now though seeing as how now that YOU’RE demanding religious leaders clam-up and fast.
Five, if abortion is the only contraceptive you know of, why should I have to pay for it?
ag-somerset, you sound like you are just a simple, angry, racist. I am not a Christian, but I would bet your Christian faith is not too supportive of racism. Although the people did not “hire” the bishop, he does have a right to his opinion. He is doing his job too. I personally feel the same way you do regarding the Christian faith, not just Catholics. The points you bring up about the Catholics, are no different than most non Christians feel about all Christians, including protestants. The Protestant faith is no different, only in your eyes, because you belong to that particular social club.
And as President Obama said, this bill is about health care not about abortion. Bringing abortion into it just feeds into the rights agenda to use this as a ploy to win the next election. Meanwhile people are dying without health care.
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