Bishop reiterates Kennedy not banned from Communion
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Politics And The Church
A public spat between Bishop Thomas Tobin and Rep. Patrick Kennedy raises issues about the Church's involvement in politics.Published: November 23, 2009
Updated: November 23, 2009
PROVIDENCE—The Roman Catholic bishop of Providence reiterated Monday that U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy has not been banned from receiving Holy Communion.
In a published interview Sunday, Kennedy said Bishop Thomas Tobin instructed priests in the diocese not to give him Communion. But a representative for the diocese said the bishop simply repeated a 2007 request made privately to Kennedy that he refrain from receiving the sacrament because he supports abortion rights.
Tobin said Monday that Kennedy was wrong to say he’s been denied Communion.
“I have no idea where he came up with that little piece of fiction. Nothing like that has ever occurred,“ Tobin told NBC 10. “So, when something like that appears in print, I have an obligation to the Catholics of this diocese to try to set the record straight.“
Mary Ann Sorrentino, who was ex-communicated from the church 20 years ago because of her work with Planned Parenthood, said the bishop is being heavy-handed.
“This does not bring Catholics closer to the teachings of the Church or to the Church itself. It alienates them further because we already know that 2-to-1, Catholics do not accept this teaching and do not want the Church involved in telling them what to do in bed or around their reproductive issues,“ Sorrentino said.
The spat between the bishop and the congressman became public about a month ago when Kennedy criticized the Church’s stance on health care reform.
“The bishop’s document that I refered to in my letter to the congressman ... outlines very clearly some concerns about poeople who obstinately and publicly repudiate the teachings of the Church, and says it’s inappropriate for them to be receiving Holy Communion,“ Tobin said.
Tobin said his invitation to meet with Kennedy for a pastoral conversation remains open.
Kennedy was not at his home in Portsmouth on Monday. His staff said Kennedy has no further comment and that he would not be available for an interview about the subject.
Related Story: Lawmaker defends Kennedy in Communion flap
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Reader Reactions
Chris Matthews, an Irish Catholic, lays the smack down on Tobin. It’s about time!! I think it’s time the Pope stepped in and tells Tobin to lighten up.
And how about releasing then names of the 125 priests in RI that have been implicated in pedofile scandals? 125, that must be every priest and the Bishop himself.
Suggestion don’t read my post skip it. It’s not an obsession or hate. Maybe it’s my misunderstanding. I can not understand how the church feels they can push their nose into our personal lives. As stated I would never walk into the church putting it down.
Im tired of the problems Kennedy and the Bishop. Why not try and uphold the seperation of church and state. Anyone in politics should do whats best for the public first. This may or may not conflict with their religous feelings.
Tired, I’m going to tell you something—I’ve had over fifty years ‘life experience’ under my belt, and Cheasapeake is right about one thing. You do have an obcession about the Catholic Church—that is evident. The bile you’re spewing out on this thread is proof of it. I’m also disgrundled with the Catholic faith, but I would never offer out the hatred you’re showing here. You need help.
Chesapeake I will again state you have not lived with the catholic faith long enough. Come back in 30 years. You say your father has told you - again not enough life experience yourself. This is your fathers experience yours may be different not everyone’s is the same. The players in the real world are nothing like a school yard. I’m not obsessed with the Catholic Church I’m sick of it. They are entitled to their beliefs I would never walk into a church and make a rude comment to someone there. The problem is they seem to think they can try to push all their beliefs on everyone else.
You know I have really thought about what you have said TiredofRI and I think I’ll rescind my apology.
I don’t need 30 years of experience with the Catholic Church to see your very transparent obsession with it.. All the way to the point that your taking pot shots below at a man who did not ask for all of this. A Man who has the courage of convictions to answer in public to an obvious stacked desk against him.
My Father was right I have seen you in the schoolyard all to often. You would have us believe your points are valid because you express them well. Believe it or not I’m old enough to see your transparency regarding your issue with the Catholic Church. It’s in every tawdry remark you have made and personally I didn’t care until I heard your remark against a man who before yesterday I never knew existed. Your post below combined with all the venom you have spit on your others ( and perhaps rightly so with your experiences) I’m sure Mother Theresa would look sneaky. I’m also sure that it is your HOPE that in a few years something comes out about him.
But until then I’ll stand with him…..
Oh…and Tired? YOU can “QUOAT” “ME” on this…
I’ve always wondered why people were concerned about JFK being “controlled” by the Catholic church and thought is was silly. Suddenly, I understand what the concern was and will think twice before I vote for a Catholic for President in the future.
I’m sorry tired of RI. Your right…I‘m off the wall today! Your also right that . I haven’t lived life yet. I am so tired and frustrated about this issue. I feel Patrick Kennedy has turned this into a popularity contest with the Catholic Church.
On one hand you have a man who is steadfast in his beliefs who should be admired for his character and convictions. (Whether you believe it or not) Pitted against a failing congressman who receives all the benefit of the doubt because of all the falling out with Catholic Church.
My father told me before I understood what he was saying that life is not much different than the schoolyard I play in. You see all the different characters are still there when you grow up. Patrick Kennedy in my opinion has no character and Bishop Tobin is displaying his.
By the way with all do respect tired, I don’t know about thirty years of faith with the Catholic Church. I do understand primal feelings of hate and the obsession of it…..and there is one thing I see as clear as you see the Catholic Church you have helped shade this issue. It’s about a mans private issue with his Priest that has turned into a political stratagy and I believe it’s a disgrace.
Chesapeake first do not try to be a shrink. Second you have not lived long enough to have enough experience in life. You read & quote but that does not give you life experience. When you spend 30 or so years with the Catholic church come back and speak to me about it.
TiredofRI
Why mess around? This contemporary slander is truly boring. Your complaints couldn’t make the Opra show.
If your really trying to recruit people to leave the Catholic church go back into history . Their antisemtic role in the Holocaust. How Pope Pius was fully aware of the extent of Nazi Atrocities and failed to respond to them. You should be able to gain quite a following. Go back another hundred or another hundred. It’s all there…
Are you sure you want to.
I think thee protests too much?
It sounds like they broke your heart.
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