RI Catholic bishop faults Rep. Kennedy on abortion
Published: October 23, 2009
Updated: October 23, 2009
PROVIDENCE—A Roman Catholic bishop is calling for an apology from U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy for criticizing church leaders who will oppose universal health care plans unless there are tighter abortion restrictions.
Bishop Thomas Tobin, who leads the Catholic Church in Rhode Island, said Friday that recent comments from the Rhode Island Democrat, who is Catholic, were irresponsible.
“Congressman Kennedy continues to be a disappointment to the Catholic Church and to the citizens of the state of Rhode Island,“ Tobin said in a written statement. “I believe the Congressman owes us an apology for his irresponsible comments.“
Kennedy recently told the conservative Web site CNSnews.com that opposition from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops over abortion was a “red herring” fanning “flames of dissent and discord.“
The bishops have said they will oppose plans that lack existing restrictions on federally funded abortions.
“I can’t understand for the life of me how the Catholic Church could be against the biggest social justice issue of our time, where the very dignity of the human person is being respected by the fact that we’re caring and giving health care to the human person,“ Kennedy said in the interview.
The plans being debated by Congress would provide health coverage to millions of uninsured people, Kennedy said.
Tobin has previously clashed with local leaders over the treatment of illegal immigrants, abortion and same-sex marriage.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Hey corgvette, remember…Patches has never held a f****ing job…his words not mine.
Patches took the first shot in this instance at the church. The Bishop criticized his claim to be Catholic. If he doesn’t like it, or anyone for that matter, then by all means, go. The Catholic church suits him just fine when he wants it to.
Patches won his seat (or bought) right out of PC. he has no real life experience, never had a job and he’s decicing what’s best for us. It will be my pleasure to cast a vote against him in the next election and maybe RI will smarten up and put someone in office that works for their constituents and not just the democratic party.
To None:
How can you not be disappointed with Patches….he spends more time in rehab than doing the frigging job he was elected to do, he missed around 40% of the votes. He is pathetic, as Rhode Islander I can’t wait till he is kicked to the curb, Coming soon but not soon enough!
I remember one thing no one else seems to, WE are not supposed to judge! Whatever someone does with their lives is between them and God and No one else! Let the sinless one cast the first stone! I do not agree with abortion but I am not God and cannot judge another human being. Also fellow Christians, don’t you think that if a child is supposed to be born, that no one or nothing would stop that birth? Like I said earlier, what one does in this life is between that person and God.(I am speaking of staying within the laws of this land) Tell me something, how is it all right to take the life of a doctor or a woman that is doing things within the law but to abort a fetus is not? It is up to Our God to handle it, not us, and I am sure that He does. It’s just like the death penalty, God says to send the rapist and murders to him when one does these acts (Numbers chapter 35 - 1st Epistles of John 3:15 - Deuteronomy chapter 19) but what do you see outside the jail? People against this act with candles burning for the murderer or rapist! If we would do what God tells us to, there are a lot of people who wouldn’t suffer because of these horrible people! They cannot hurt any one else after they are dead! Let’s get with the program people and truly follow God’s laws.Listen to no man, read His word and follow what He says, not what man says.
Hey None - Glad to here you’re not a disappopinted with Patrick Kennedy; and as soon as he gets out of rehab you should call him and tell him so. LOL Patrick is a joke and has been for many years.
Corg The Catholic church is against abortion whether paid for by a person themselves or the state. (Nobodies business) You have a problem with that. Why do you not have a problem with the Catholic or any church not paying taxes. Why do you not have a problem with the way the pope lives? Why do you not have a problem with the amount of money the Vatican is worth? You gripe about your tax dollars. How about the amount (which you have already paid taxes on) that you & everyone else puts in the basket every week. This is all tax free. Go figure. If the churches wants a say PAY TAXES. Sorry but the Pope & Priest are human not Gods.
The catholic church should have spoken up years ago against any politician that claims to be catholic supporting abortion paid for by the government. Why should we as taxpayers support the payment of peoples abortions. They got themselves pregnant let them get themselves upregnant. They all claim its pro-choice well chose to use a condom or practise safe sex another way.
........yet another reason why I have moved away from organized religion of any shape or form (former Catholic).
Bishop Tobin should keep his comments to his congregation. I am a rhode islander, and I AM NOT Disappointed with rep Kennedy. Catholics have always been about shutting people up. Maybe they should wake up and join the modern world. The earth isn’t flat. Get with the program
I, too, agree with tiredofRI. When all these Catholic churches,(by the way I am a Catholic, but don’t practice it anymore) pay their fair share of taxes like the rest of us, then they can put in their two cents worth.
Advertisement