PROVIDENCE - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence said Monday that a meeting between Bishop Thomas Tobin and U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy scheduled for this week has been postponed.
The bishop and the congressman were expected to discuss their public dispute on abortion and national health care reform.
A statement from the diocese did not say why the meeting had been put on hold.
"Bishop Tobin remains hopeful the he can meet with Congressman Kennedy in a personal and pastoral setting in the very near future," the statement said.
Kennedy last month criticized church leaders who oppose universal health care plans unless the plans include more restrictions on abortions. Tobin called those remarks "irresponsible," though Kennedy said he didn't mean to slight the Church.
Tobin said he wants to reaffirm to Kennedy the Church's overall support for health care reform but will also stress its opposition to abortion. He said that Kennedy, as a Catholic, must accept the church's abortion position.
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