Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

That should make the voting lines a lot shorter, because according to the "Book of Tobin" there are not too many candidates on the RI ballot for which Catholics can vote.

It would be good if all Christian churces took a stand on moral issues that affect political candidates.

With a state like RI where the majority of Christians belong to the Roman Catholic denomination, which is very pro-life, how do we get so many people voting for Democrats?

The Democratic Party is pro abortion (or less politically correct, baby killers). Are all these Dems in RI allowed to take communion? Do they have a conscience? Do people who keep voting Democratic realize they are electing baby killers to office? Yes, they know and they will be judged some day.

Could someone please tell this guy that what he is doing is ILLEGAL. Churches enjoy a tax exempt status because they are not allowed to discuss or influence the political process.

Bishop Tobin puports to say that it is not his place to tell Ctholics how to vote. Then he goes on to tell Catholics how to vote.

Not only is this hypocrosy it also breaches the law that prohibits non-profit organizations from promoting political positions. I kbnow this is a difficult problem for many Christians but it Bishop Tobin's statements are illegal.

Here is the solution. Revoke the Church's non-profit satus. Not only will it free religious leaders to preach their beliefs it will also relieve the people's need to find new sources of tax revenue.

As always, the church has an opinion when it believes in separation of church and state, albeit to its own convenience. The church supports this doctrine when it doesn't want to pay taxes; yet, discredits the doctrine when defending its child predators (priests).

So much for seperation of church and state right. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!!! Maybe the goverment should tell them which prayers they can use during mass. I don't think that would go over to well. Projo, thanks for reminding me why I left this state.

There's a reason that the Church and State are separate. Perhaps the Bishop should remember that instead of hiding behind the guise of "guidance".

So much for seperation of church and state right. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!!! Maybe the goverment should tell them which prayers they can use during mass. I don't think that would go over to well. Projo, thanks for reminding me why I left this state. People, VOTE FOR WHO AND WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN, NOT WHAT SOMEONE TELLS YOU TO DO.

Church and state are separate as our constitution implicitly states. The good bishop should not be making any political statements in my opinion. It's not his place and his comments are inappropriate. I suppose his choice based on a single issue does not take into consideration that the only anti-abortion candidates are pro death penalty and would risk thousands of our soldiers lives to further the bank accounts of the rich. Shame on you bishop.

The Bishop has crossed the line this time. It was bad when he was trying to tell the government how to enforce the rules on illegal aliens. He pushed it when he called out Giuliani for his stance on abortion. This latest ploy should give call to the IRS to immediatly revoke the tex exempt status of the Diocese of Providence. The rules are very clear "Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes."

Bishop Tobin would be a lot more convincing if he cleaned up the mess he inherited at the cathederal before he starts pointing the finger at anyone else.

Bishop Tobin would be a lot more convincing taking the high moral ground if he had publicly cleanned up the mess at Fenner Street before he stated pointing the finger at anyone else.

When will pro-lifers pull their fingers out of their ears and realize that the "pro-abortion" stance doesn't exist?! It's pro-choice, NOT pro-abortion.

This is a very hard choice. You just have to pray that you make the right one.

People need to get over abortion! I am pro-life myself, but I don't believe you should make abortion against the law. I can't tell a woman what to do with her body. Even if you did outlaw it, women would revert back to the "coat hanger method", what's better for society?

Tough call I guess, BUT there are more serious moral issues out there, like foreign policy! Which disturbs you more, killing innocent babies before they are born or innocent men, women and children in the middle east that have every right to life as well!?

Think about it. A true Catholic would take foreign policy into account when they vote.

Abortion the only issue? Once life is around and walking it doesn't matter. What about the American soldiers that have been killed or how about the iraqi people (over 400,000) that were killed. We need to vote on several issues not just one. All life is important. Human rights is important.

People need to look beyond abortion. I am pro-life myself, but I don't believe you should make abortion against the law. I can't tell a woman what to do with her body. Even if you did outlaw it, women would revert back to the "coat hanger method", what's better for society?

Tough call I guess, BUT there are more serious moral issues out there, like foreign policy! Which disturbs you more:

1.) killing innocent babies before they are born?

2.) killing innocent men, women and children in the middle east that have every right to life as well!?

Think about it. A true Catholic would take foreign policy into account when they vote.

I am so happy at this time to be an "EX RHODE ISLANDER"!

I do not appreciate the Catholic bishop of R.I. offering "guidance" on how to vote in the up-coming election!!

What does a celibate (alegedly) priest know about the innumerable reasons that could lead a peron to choose abortion!

Whatever happened to separation of Church and State?

It makes me laught that "although it is not his role or that of the Church to tell voters for whom they "must vote ... it is appropriate to remind you of how you must vote."" I'm pretty sure that church and government are supposed to stay separate Bishop Tobin, so why don't you do exactly that and not say anything, and as far as I don't know about you, dear reader," Tobin wrote, "but I could never vote for a candidate -- or any party for any office -- who supports laws that promote or allow the death of thousands of children in the hideous crime of abortion, well that's kind of funny because I don't know how anyone can stay tied to the catholic church fully knowing that priests and other clergy are molesting CHILDREN!

Time to revoke the churches tax exempt status. They have been walking a thin line on the issue of politics (sepration of church and state). I thnk they have over stepped too many times and it is time for them to start paying up. By pushing to vote for one candidate on moral issues (especially specific ones) is as good as saying who to vote for. Revoke the status and the state of RI will now have a new revenue source.

Roger Williams, who brought the concept of separation of church and state to America, is rolling over in his grave in Prospect Park.

Tobin...another readon to resign from the catholic church. Where was all this high minded morality when his priests were damaging little children?
You can't legislate morality or common sense.
Send back Law from his safe haven in Rome so he can be prosecuted as he should be and then you might have some moral ground to impose your influence on others.

I'm not mad at pro abortion folks Bishop. Sorry, there more logical than most. Thanks anyway... and yes I do receive communion.

What ever happened to the separation of church and state. Bishop Tobin should take care of his own “house” before looking outside.

The Bishop's suggestions to promote the common good and uphold moral values do not seem to rise to the level that would give rise to the revocation of the Church's tax-exempt status. For him to condemn abortion and those who promote it is offensive? Grounds for severe consequences?

Come on, folks, get real. How can those participating in and supporting this butchery then decide their hands are clean enough to go after the Diocese?

Sure are a lot of Obama lovers here. Roe Diland along with a lot of other negatives is the most hypocritical of states. The vast majority claim to be Catholic but they only follow the church teachings that don't disrupt their lifestyle. I dislike Tobin as much as the next guy but I truly despise democrats.

Tobin wrote, "but I could never vote for a candidate -- or any party for any office -- who supports laws that promote or allow the death of thousands of children in the hideous crime of abortion"
Let me respectfully add my voice to those who are in agreement that Bishop Tobin's statement is completely hypocritical. He certainly has no problem voting for candidates who promote and allow the deaths of thousands of children in the name of war. Throughout history worldwide, members of the Catholic leadership have always been strong proponents of, and in some cases instigators of war when it has suited their purse strings and hypocritical dogma. One may also remind the Bishop and all Christian leaders whom speak out against the right to choice in our nation and others that it is not a crime. Bishop Tobin you are absolutely wrong to label choice in our country criminal when there are laws upheld by majority that say otherwise. Where ever you are on the issue, it has been decided by the Supreme Court of our land to be a legal and defensible choice for a human being to make on their own whether you like it or not. It would be wise for the Catholic church to mow it's own grass before it looks over the fence of others.
I also agree that the Internal Revenue Service should be looking at any religious dogma within any denomination that is interfering in our political process as violations of the laws that violate their privileges under 501(c)(3). I for one object to being monetarily forced into supporting their assertions based upon their wrong headed interpretations. Now that Bishop is truly criminal.

Wow, what an underwhelming level of moral guidance.

He rebukes a Republican for being pro abortion, but gets all mealy mouthed and weaselly when it comes to Our (more than likely) future president.

Barack Obama is pro-infanticide. That is not just propaganda folks.

No other social issue that we face in this country has killed 50 million infants. Most of our bishops have been just as weaselly on this issue.

Vote for whom you will, but don't try to tell me about "social justice".

It is just plain against the teaching of the (Roman Catholic) church to vote for a candidate who has activley supported all forms of abortion, up to and including the "right" for doctors to allow living, breathing infants to die because it would inconvenience.

If someone murders a pregnant woman and the baby dies, he or she is charged with two murders...funny how that baby is recognized as having legal rights, but not one who is aborted...riddle me that pro-choice supporters...

Keep up the good work, Bishop Tobin

Kudos to Tom Thompson's remarks! Why doesn't the Bishop say we should vote agianst people who are letting children die by cutting their RIte Care? Why doesn't he say we should vote against people who support war? Why doesn't he say we should vote against people who are cutting welfare, child care, housing and other programs that allow peopel to live diginified lives? Why doesn't he call for Cardinal Law to go to jail for his complicity in mass child rape? It make me ill how narrow he and others (Sue Carcieir, for example) define being "pro-life."

Why is it always about abortion when we talk about moral arguments and killing people?

Isn't war taking care of that end too? Isn't killing innocent civilians, and killing other people - period -- JUST as immoral in any church doctrine?

Seems to me the Republican agenda supports war and killing (both parties actually to some regard), but not killing and babies. So certain KINDS of killing are okay I guess.

And then there is punishment that is capital. Maybe if we gave abortion another name it would sound better and garner a church vote then?

Catholics are Catholic despite their Bishops.

Tobin is irrelevent in the daily lives of his

"flock". I look forward to taking voting

instruction from a woman Bishop!