Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

I fully support Bishop Tobin in his call to all Catholics, including elected officials, to work to promote the sanctity of life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. I saw him on "Hardball with Chris Matthews" and I think that Matthews missed the bishop's point that every single law that is passed reflects someone's view of morality. The Church has every right to speak up for its view of morality in the public square and to guide its members accordingly. The role of the Church is to lead its members to holiness and, hopefully, eternal life with God in heaven. The Church also has a responsibility through its members, including its leaders, to be a voice of faith and reason in the crafting of legislation that promotes the sacredness of human life and the God-given dignity of all men and women. At the same time, while the Church is not in the business of determining civil penalties for the breaking of laws (e.g. what the penalty should be for first degree murder, second degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, etc.) it is in the business of reminding its members that we are called to answer to a Higher Authority as to how we live our lives. I truly believe that Bishop Tobin's only motive in correcting Rep. Kennedy is to dispel any confusion that may arise in a Catholic's mind of what the Church teaches and to help Rep. Kennedy and all of us to save our souls. Bishop Tobin has done a wonderful job of teaching us in these matters and I encourage him to keep up the good work.
steveray8

The bishop made a fool out of himself going on National TV. We all know what our position is on abortion and us true Catholics agree. We don't need a publicity crazed Bishop going on these whack job talk shows telling us what we already know. But enough is enough bishop. You're entering the political sphere and infringing on separation of church and state. That bozo Matthews cleaned your clock and now you're crying to mama. Get off the National TV tabloids and get back to work here in Rhode Island rescuing the homeless and your troubled parishes. Trouble caused by the defection of thousands casused by the perverts who ruined young boys and families lives forever.

I am an active Catholic and am strongly PRO CHOICE. I know many other Catholics that believe the same as me. Abortion should not be used as a means of birth control but it should be an option in many cases. Also, if the church did a better job of birth control education, there would be less unwanted pregancies. AND when the Bishop says 'suggest' not taking communion, that means DON'T take communion. It is alright for people to be rude to 'liberals',call names etc., but not for a church official. Double standards always. However, I believe one should always be civil to everyone--no matter how they think or believe.

By The Way, are we suppose to have a division of church and state??????

Here's where I disagree with you 100% Steve - Kennedy is there to represent all, not just the Catholic viewpoint. That gives favor to one religion. I don't subscribe to the Catholic viewpoint.

A person is not created at conception. That's my viewpoint. And who is the Catholic Church as the first and last point on saying what is "God given dignity"? Who's god? Your god? My gods/deities? Hindu god? Buhdists? Mohamed? Define dignity. Personally I tend to follow Act Utilitarianism, also keeping an open mind and willing to adapt my moral views based upon circumstance.

The catholic church can't have it both ways and that is what Matthews was pointing out. The bishop says abortion should be illegal but he's unwilling to speak of the punishment because THAT is not his business but apparently attempting to coerce legislation IS.

And to the Catholic League - wah!

Matthews is such a rude one. He invited the bishop so he could lecture him, which is a laugh. He was trying to pin him down with one question. How would you penalize a woman for getting an abortion? The goal is to prevent abortions with education, compassion and caring, not to arrest women. Matthews wouldn't even let the bishop tell him that and the bishop was being as polite as he could and tolerant of this bully, too. I don't know why he even lowered himself to appear on that show. People are laughing at them because they are not even a real news outlet. They are a trap for unsuspecting guests. If I were Tobin, I would have made faces at the camera to reflect my feelings. He was very reserved, but it was too painful to finish watching. Matthews is a true nut job. Let him keep fantasizing that the world is behind him.

Oh, and I forgot to ask -- was that meant to be an interview? I always thought that meant the person asked a question of the guest and let him talk. So was it?

Did not the bishop realize that he was going to be on "Hardball" ? Did he just expect that he (the bishop) would be given an opportunity to spout off his platitudes?
The fact is, Chris Matthews asked the bishop some serious political questions, and the bishop had nothing to say.
The bishop dug his own grave on this one.

It's called "Hardball" not "Softball" If Bishop Tobin wants to wade into the political arena, and dictate what Catholics should vote for and against, then he should at least be able to articulate it. The question I would have liked for the Bishop to answer is why shouldn't Rep. Kennedy be able to receive communion because of his pro-choice position when many priests who raped children were able to administer that sacrament to the flock? Or does he think that annulling the marriage of Rep. Kennedy's parents impacted his desire to blindly follow the teachings of the Church?

The Church has every right to speak up for its view of morality in CHURCH! Unless Bishop Tobin wants to walk a slippery slope he should refrain from trying to legislate morality in the public square. The seperation of church & state does not prevent individuals from living their lives according to their beliefs or proselytizing from the pulpit. It does however confine that debate to the appropriate venue. "Render unto Ceasar..."

As a non-catholic, I would definitely treat the bishop this way. He deserved every bit of Matthew's anger, and then some.

Chris Matthews asked exactly the right questions like "If we make abortion illegal what should the punishment be? He also pointed out that the church is delving into secular law where it not only has no standing as a body but where it is specifically forbidden to tread by the constitution.

Mr. Tobin, got his clock cleaned by Matthews because in his arrogance he assumed that the rest of society would be driven to deference and humility by his collar and his "Holy" demeanor.

He got a long overdue shellacking because like all those who would join religion to secular government he had no plan to handle the result.

He should stick to Church socials and meting out penance to the faithful and leave governance to those who understand how the law and the constitution actually work!

"But too many liberal Catholics, especially Irish Catholics, think they are exempt from the same standards of civility that apply to others." Here we go again, IRISH NEED NOT APPLY. But wait there's still hope...what if Patrick Kennedy isn't truly Irish? I mean he's not married, no kids...let's ask Bishop Tobin surely he'll know. He knows Everything.

"I am an active Catholic and am strongly PRO CHOICE. I know many other Catholics that believe the same as me. Abortion should not be used as a means of birth control but it should be an option in many cases. Also, if the church did a better job of birth control education, there would be less unwanted pregancies."

Uh no, you're not a Catholic. You can call yourself Catholic until you are blue in the face but there is no such thing as a pro-choice Catholic. It's like saying someone is a meat-eating vegetarian, it doesn't exist. It's just a fact. The Church is very, very clear about this.

You don't know your faith, or if you do you choose to ignore it. Read "The Catechism of the Catholic Church" (if you are an active Catholic I'm sure you have a copy) and learn your faith and then if you don't like what it tells you, leave. But you can't have it both ways.

I don't understand people who want to remain in a faith they don't agree with. They should find themselves a nice Protestant denomination that meets their needs and be done with it already.

LOL!! Tobin was foolish enough to stick his head into the lions mouth and he got exactly what he was asking for. He was a mumbling, stumbling, erratic, confused, and angry man. He did absolutely zero to command the respect of Chris Matthews and quite frankly did just the opposite. He exposed himself for the fool he must be and Matthews treated him accordingly. Frankly, he wasn't particularly civil with Chris Matthews either. You had better come with all your marbles if you are going to attempt to take on a guy like Matthews. It makes one wonder what Tobin's real motivations are with this lunacy. He has allowed himself to be goaded and shamed.

I am pro-life and Catholic. I agree with my church but I strongly disapprove of the church's hierarchy getting involved in politics. It is just plain wrong. Chris Matthews, a pro-life Catholic, was making that point as well. He didn't treat Bishop Tobin any differently than any other guest on his show. I think Bishop Tobin shouldn't have accepted the invitation but maybe something good we'll come of it.

I agree that Matthews was out of line with the way he acted towards Tobin, but my problems is that Matthews just wasted an interview going nowhere.

Matthews spent 10 minutes discussing the issue of abortion with Tobin, and OF COURSE the Bishop is pro-life. Any person with common knowledge of the Catholic religion would already know this.

This is proof why MSNBC is consistently last in the ratings. If I had the chance to interview the Bishop I would want the story of the relationship between Tobin and Kennedy?

My questions would be:

Bishop, why do you think Kennedy would publicize this story now, since your request was made over two years ago?

Has their been any recent interactions between you and Mr. Kennedy?

Why did you make this request, after so many years of the Kennedy family being pro-choice?

This is the real heart of the story...come'on Chris get off of your soapbox and get the story!

LOL @ Alex the showman. Yeah right! Thanks for your two cents, which was worth about a plug nickel! What would you ask a PRO-CHOICE catholic?

To all you hypocritics that belong to the "DO AS YOU PLEASE" version of the Catholic Church, if you want to murder children thats between you and your maker but DONT FORCE YOUR EVIL ON ME! If you want abortion you pay for it. Taxpayers should not have to pay for murder. As far as Matthews, he is a coward and bully. He would never treat a member of the clergy from judaism or islam like that. If he did he would be looking for a new job the next day.

First of all, being an active Catholic and pro choice is an oxymoron. I know this will put all you cafeteria Ctaholics in a panic but you are hypocrites, complete and total. How can you profess to believe in a loving and caring God and condone the murder of innnocent life.

Second, to place the blame on the Catholic church for not doing enough on birth control is patently ridiculous. Most Catholics have categorically denied the church's teaching on birth control because it involves sexual self control, something well beyond the reach of most Americans.

Regarding Chris Matthews interview with Bishop Tobin; rude and obnoxious doesn't begin to describe his treatment of the Bishop.
One can only wonder if he would have been as disrepectful and confrontational with other,non-Catholic religious figures, say, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the former pastor of Matthew's idol Pres. Obama? Don't think so but Catholic priest are always fair game, especially by Catholic commentators. Must be Catholic guilt?

The hypocrisy of shock hosts like Matthews is appalling. Who is he to lecture Bishop Tobin on influencing public policy. Seems like folks of Matthew's ilk are perfectly content to accept the church's active and vocal support on social issues they agree with like the civil rights movement in the 60's. But when it comes to other social issues they don't agree with then we hear the separation of church and state nonsense.

I tip my hat to Bishop Tobin for having the courage and conviction to walk into a boopy trapped interview unlike Patrick Kennedy who conveniently has been unavailable for comment!!

It's IS "Hardball" after all. I'm not Catholic and I am pro-choice BUT, I definitely respect the way Bishop Tobin conducted himself; VERY well done as this is Matthew's MO (and I am also a Hardball fan).

Let's just close down the church since they no longer serve any useful purpose in society. They don't help the poor, they don't serve families, and they certainly don't reach out to the disenfranchised - if they did, they'd be working WITH Patrick, not against him. The church, especially the Catholic church, is an archaic establishment that adds no value to our culture.

"It's enormously significant to me that the only description in the Bible about salvation is tied to one's willingness to act on behalf of one's fellow human beings. My center of belief is the great Gospel of Matthew, in which he calls us to care for the least of these among us, and feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, visit the imprisoned" ....
Senator Edward Kennedy

Dear Catholic League and other complainers:

It's called "Hardball" for a reason. The Bishop CHOSE to be on that show. (I know -- you all have a hard time grasping the meaning terms relating to personal choice).

If the Bishop wanted to be on "Softball" maybe he could have found a more pliant host over on Fox.

Matthews is an Irish Catholic just like John (Kohn) Kerry is an Irish Catholic

...... Can a "real" Catholic ever vote in favor of war?

I would love for Bishop Tobin to weigh in on this.

Also, since my Dad (and many uncles) fought in WWII, under today's definition, are they "real" Catholics since they "took another life" back then...... just wondering how deep this goes!!

Matthews has always been a Kennedy suck up. This is how liberals act on a daily basis. I would have left the interview if I were Tobin, by the way I'm catholic, Irish, and pro choice.

Anytime a spokesman for the Catholic church isn't asked about the morality of covering up rampant sex abuse within the church, he got off easy. Tobin should be glad he didn't have to answer for that. I won't have anything to do with a religious organization who acted like a bunch of politicians engaged in a conspiracy in covering up crimes against children, and I don't understand why anyone wants to even be part of this church anymore.

Why did the church stop promoting adoptions?

In 1992, Catholic Social Services closed its doors to adoption.

If "life" was so meaningful to the Bishop ... why did they stop Catholic adoptions in this state.

I know that I was told it was because CSS was not making any money with their adoption program.

We need more options so that women contemplating abortions will choose life. The Democratic platform funds adoption agencies ... the Republicans do not! Who really is pro-life!?

You Catholics should start taking responsibility for some of the abortions being performed with your antiquated birth control beliefs. Don't like your holy man being on the carpet with the "Hardball" questions? Lock him in the rectory. The church could do some good and be growing instead of shrinking if they would start using real world values and really talked to the people instead of decreeing from a gold gilded throne.

It is so simple. All that is asked of Kennedy is to not have it both ways. If you want to follow the pro-abortion position go right ahead. But have the gumption to take the punishment that goes with it. If choice is more important then your receiving the Eucharist, show your spine. Don't demand both.

The title of the program is "HardBall" If Bishop Tobin couldn't take the pressure then he shouldn't have gone on the show!

To hear some people tell it, no one who intends to defend the Catholic faith should be allowed to say anything but "We're child molesters!"

It's a classically Puritan American anti-Catholic device designed to silence the most steadfast source of opposition to the murder of unborn children for the convenience of their mothers.

Chris Matthews made Tobin look like the fool he is and now he's crying about it. I'm reminded of what my mother used to say about all these pompous priests: they live in ivory towers spouting off about how everyone else should live.
They should stay out of civil politics and stay in the pulpit (and keep their hands off the altar boys!).

The Bishop was excellent and C. Matthews needs to reflect on what makes him think he is a Catholic.

If you substitute "lynching" for "abortion" in this conversation -- both practices target and kill a certain population -- who is on the right side of this debate? Abortion is the #1 civil rights issue of our time. The pro-life position is the most liberal of causes and the assistance of pregnant women the most charitable endeavor a society can engage in.

Remember when Mary visited Elizabeth immediately after Gabriel came to her? Unborn John the Baptist leapt in Elizabeth's womb when Mary and the tiny embryonic Jesus greeted them. Unborn life is fully realized and sacred.

Catholics know this. In no other area do they allow others to re-teach them what is right and wrong. Why do we allow it with regard to abortion?

Kermit: You say that you adapt your moral values to the circumstances presented to you. WOW! What a foundation. In my humble opinion, you have the morals of a Frog. You are aptly named !
!

well the fat is in the fire boys------------------

The Bishop was brave enough going on Hardball.
the bottom line that few of us anymore wish to hear the truth bacause...'We can't handle the truth'.
Truth, much like facts, are difficult things. No matter how you spin it....facts remain facts, and truth remains truth.
As for Rep. Kennedy, he is unrepentant, obstinate, and deserving of his labors.
That whole Kennedy clan has been opposed to the teachings of Holy Mother Church and the Magesterium since the git go. Their roots are inorganized crime and bootlegging. Some legacy Huh!
The only good Kennedy's are below ground...and hopefully, now, more Catholic than Irish.
Seawolfman actual sends.

Abortion is the willful killing of an innocent human baby.

This is legal in this country throughout the 3rd trimester.

Babies are brutally dismembered and their parts are sold for scientific research.

Anyone who supports the willful killing of innocent human life is morally deficient. This is NOT just a religious belief. It is an ethical and moral belief.

It saddens me to point out Americans are an ignorant lot (just look at our educational system). Those who argue that religious leaders should just "shut up" on moral issues vis a vis civil authority apparently are totally unfamiliar with the actions of the black church during the civil rights era, and have never heard of REVEREND Matin Luther King. Should he have been silenced as well because he brought his faith into the public square?

Bishop Tobin is just doing his job. And he deserves the support of right thinking Americans.

To Mother of 3: You are not Catholic if you support abortion. Protection of life is the number 1 rule of the Church. Get over yourself. Read the cathecism. Repent. Vote pro-life.

Anyone who publicly pummels a Bishop (whose demeanor and position prevents him from responding in kind), but curls up into a fetal position crying and begging for understanding when it comes to Maj. Nidal Hasan's calls to Al-Queda is simply a Rat Fink.

Anyone who maintains that they are both Catholic and "pro-choice" are deluding themselves. You can NOT be a "faithful Catholic" and reject clear and consistent teachings of the Church in matters of faith and morals. The Catholic Church has consistently and clearly taught for centuries that abortion is a grave moral sin. PERIOD. If you reject that, then you are rejecting the teaching authority of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Therefore, you are not Catholic. It really is that simple: Either accept Church teaching in the area of faith and morals, or leave the Church you have already rejected.

I am an active Catholic and am strongly PRO CHOICE.
I am going to reply to Mother of 3 point by point...that is like saying you a black woman but don't have any relatives that are black or your are an enviromentalist who throws their trash in the streets. You can't be something by proclaiming it...you have to live the tenets.

I know many other Catholics that believe the same as me.
They have free will and so do you. Just because you believe something does not make it part of the Body of Faith or the Truth. Can you even imagine Jesus standing up for abortion...after God said "I knew you in the womb." Seriously...pray about that one.

Abortion should not be used as a means of birth control but it should be an option in many cases.
Why....only because babies would inconvience someone...too bad...take responsibility...adoption is an option.

Also, if the church did a better job of birth control education, there would be less unwanted pregancies.
Two evils don't make a right.
AND when the Bishop says 'suggest' not taking communion, that means DON'T take communion.
That is correct.. He has the authority to enforce the rules of the Faith. Think about it...you want your kids to recognize your authority when you tell them they have to behave in a certain way...or there will be consequences...same thing...of course Rep Kennedy has free will to disagree..but he must then refrain from Holy Eucharist..it is not a right.

It is alright for people to be rude to 'liberals',call names etc., but not for a church official. Double standards always.
Don't ever ascribe motives to other people. It is NEVER okay to be rude to anyone...especially those we disagree with...that was a classic straw man argument...

However, I believe one should always be civil to everyone--no matter how they think or believe.

By The Way, are we suppose to have a division of church and state??????
You have it a bit backwards....the state, under the Constitution is not allowed to tell religions what to do...religion (Thank God) is still allowed (so far and less so than before) to practice freely and look only to God to determine Faith and Morals. I will pray for you.

To RKF:

Rhode Island Catholic Social Services does indeed provide Adoption services...here is the link to prove it...next time before you write...maybe a good google search would serve you well.

http://www.cssdioc.org/services/adoption/index.html

Matthews is a disgrace not only to the Catholic Religion but also to all of humanity. Every person regardless of what Religion if any they answer to are responsible for human life. Life in the womb should be the most precious of all. Look around you every single one of us started as a growing fetus inside our mother's womb. As far as the Kennedy's go, I am tired of hearing about their devout Catholic Religion but stand up for abortion and funding abortion.
May God Have Mercy On This Country.

If the Bishop looked bad it was due to him going weak. Our Lord did not mean that cesar was a higher authority than God, in the matter of Abortion it should be outlawed with penalties as was slavery.....hhrgy

Dear Chris Matthews and all who are personally pro-life but not going to impose your beliefs on others:
Talk is cheap. Actions speak louder than words. If you are truly pro-life what have you done to help mothers keep their children? How much money have you given to centers who support these mothers? What have you done to promote adoption? What have you done to let mothers know they don't have to abort their children?

Those Catholics who support pro-death are sadly
ignorant of catholic teaching (small letter on
purpose). It is really an unwavering and unchanging human value to protect one's unborn.
So the Catholic Church's number may decrease, but
in the end, I hope, pray and follow her teachings
so I will be in that "hollowed number."
If those who found Chris Matthew's diatribe useful, you are in the minority. A little civility would have gone a long way. And, remember, it was Patrick Kennedy who revealed the
admonition to the public, not the Bishop.
Kudos, Bishop Tobin.
And for those who cry "separation of church and
state", it is us, Christians and people of faith,
who are to be protected so we can have freedom of
religion. Not freedom from religion. Last time I
checked we do not have a state religion. THAT is
what "separation of church and state" meant and
should still mean.

Sully said:
...... Can a "real" Catholic ever vote in favor of war?
I would love for Bishop Tobin to weigh in on this.
Also, since my Dad (and many uncles) fought in WWII, under today's definition, are they "real" Catholics since they "took another life" back then...... just wondering how deep this goes!!

Absolutely, when the war is waged in self-defense – so that lets your Dad and many uncles off the hook. War – even the death penalty in very, very limited circumstances – can be legitimate. However, the killing of innocent, unborn children cannot.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and thank your Dad and uncles – or say a prayer for ‘em – for their sacrifice.

Catholics get what they deserve when they so in-frequently choose to stand with Christ, His Church and His Bishops. The state of this nation is due to Catholics who simply refuse to get involved. Matthew's should be pulled from the air...he has attacked the Church for years and if Catholics care about this nation they had better start STANDING before it is truly too late.

The Bishop rightly called Kennedy to task for living a double life. On one hand Kennedy claims to be a "good Catholic," yet on the other hand he votes for laws and publicly proclaims support for things that he knows stands in direct opposition to formal teachings of the Church. One cannot have it both ways, they are either Catholic, or they are not...there is no middle ground.

As our Church, its teachings, and our nation and its institutions fall around us...we Catholics have nowhere to look but in the mirror. As the Church and Catholics go, so does the nation and the world...when we become weak and stray the world falls into a mess. When we become strong in faith and hold tight to Christ and His Church the world will prosper and have much more peace.

It is up to each individual Catholic to take a STAND! You are either a Christian, a follower of Christ, or you are NOT! Jesus bled and died for each one of us...can we not at least defend the truth without fear?

There are nearly 70,000,000 Catholics in this nation, of which maybe half actually practice their faith to some genuine degree. That is still a powerful voice and if we team together with our brethren from other denoms, we can literally change the direction of this nation and of the world. We will see televisions shows that have some reasonable degree of morality come back, movies, books, radio, all of it would be transformed...schools, companies, marriage, everything would be transformed...but none of it can happen if Catholics continue to sit in their chairs and DO NOTHING.

One Question?

Why don't you liberal baby killing Catholics just leave the church and go start your own church where you can make all the rules you want that suit your fancy? You don't even have the courage that at least the protestants did! Your determination to turn the Church into what you want it to be is a definate sign that you are all hell bent on spewing your anger into cramming your liberal ideals down our throats.

No one says you have to stay in the Catholic Church. If you don't like the tennets of the faith, "LEAVE"!

Talking about leaving......Leave our bishop alone! We love him for taking the bull by the horns and finally standing up to you whacko liberals who have been vehemently at work for the last 40 years trying to destroy the church!

This only shows how the church (Bishops) have been derelict in teaching church law in the last 40 years. Vatican 2 has destroyed many minds, as I have read the comments. What a shame. Chris Matthew is an idiot anyway, so whats new.

I've read this article and all the nastiness in the comments. While I refused to watch Hardboiled Chris interview Bishop Tobin for various reasons, I was indeed curious to see how bad the interview went. Alas, while saddened I am not surprised. For any Catholic who both understands & holds to recognizing the AUTHORITY given by Christ to his CHURCH & HIS BISHOPS (I realize this leaves quite a few of those stating they are "active" Catholics - whatever that means - out), just make the easy decision to cease & desist from watching Chris Matthews from this point forward. Why build his ratings, feed his salary, etc. by tuning in? You have to know by now what angle he's going to come from - on every single topic held dear to Mother Church. He doesn't deserve your time & energy as there are many, many other options out there. If you want news, tune into Raymond Arroyo's The World Over on EWTN each night. Very insightful and true to our faith. Why feed from the media dumpster when you can dine at the banquet table? Makes no sense.

I totally agree with Milmon. I saw the "interview" or rather one-sided rant from "Catholic" Matthews and was just asking the Holy Spirit to put the right words in bishop Tobin's lips (Thank you bishop for standing up for the Truth, so inconvenient to so many self centered souls these days!)
Lord, have mercy on us!

Let your yes be yes and no be no.
The bishop should have told Matthews, a "catholic" goat amongst
the sheep, that all women who have abortions should
be punished by law for murder. That is the hypocrisy of
our situation in the church. We try to be nice and compromise
to refrain from being viewed as fanatical when it is those who advocate infanticide who are the real kooks.
The subtle and clever Matthews had the upper hand because he saw this inconsistency.

Chris Matthews is a liberal who happens to be catholic....a cafeteria catholic at that. His disrespect for Bishop Tobin indicates that.

If a Catholic and you do not believe in the truths handed down from Christ, through the Apostles and then the Popes, what does make you Catholic?
Or is the word "catholic" meaning universally anything goes?

Matthew's should be pulled from the air and faithful Catholic should demand the same.

Wow...I can't get over the Catholic hate e-mails. Good to know what Catholics are up against in America.

The bottom line of the Catholic Church is that is stands up for dignity of every human being. Thankfully the Church doesn't pick and choose who it will stand up for.

(Matthew 5:3-11)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of
righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

I saw the interview and was aghast at the treatment Matthews gave the good Bishop. As has already been noted, the church does not determine civil penalties for criminal actions. Matthews insistance of knowing them really showed his utter ignorance of his own religion. Why he and other psuedo-catholics insist on staying with the church is beyond belief. I wish they would show some ethical behavior and leave. They jeopardise their souls and those they influence by their actions. Stop the madness and work for peace and justice instead of the bottom line, money and a minute of fame.

I saw the interview and was aghast at the treatment Matthews gave the good Bishop. As has already been noted, the church does not determine civil penalties for criminal actions. Matthews insistance of knowing them really showed his utter ignorance of his own religion. Why he and other psuedo-catholics insist on staying with the church is beyond belief. I wish they would show some ethical behavior and leave. They jeopardise their souls and those they influence by their actions. Stop the madness and work for peace and justice instead of the bottom line, money and a minute of fame.

This is another clear demonstration of how ill educated Catholics in North America are!!!

There was and continues to be very poor education of Catholics especially from the pulpits! When we are not educated as to what documents say and mean we just make it up and run with it. That is obvious by what you hear coming out of the mouth of people like Patrick Kennedy and others, who consider themselves 'good catholics'. They just are ignorant of doctrine and tradition.

God Bless Bishop Tobin and his willingness to take a stand for what the Church teaches!

Kermit-When exactly does life start? at the middle or end? logic would say at the moment of conception.you are like most Americans a 3rd grade education of religion and morals,since you have no clue you live in your own made up world of morals and opinions- Like Satan said to Adam and Eve-You will be like God deciding for yourself whats right and wrong.a Total Chaos way of a life

Dear mother of 3.
Do yourself a favor and know and understand the teachings of the Catholic Church on abortion and Artificial Contraception before critizing it. I think if you understood the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Church your faith would be more in line and not so lacking. Start by a simple read from a Pope who wrote Humanae Vitae back in 60's when so many so called Catholics rebelled against the Church. It is a clear and consise teaching on artificial contraception. Go to vatican.va and search for it and please read it to inform your conscience.

How this whole debate started is when Representative Kennedy of Rhode Island stated that he could sill be a Catholic and vote for a woman's Right to Choose. What woman's Right to Choose means is that she can have an abortion up until the time of birth. Bishop Tobin wrote him a letter and asked to meet with him at his convenience to talk. They were unable to come up with a mutual time. Okay, the Bishop left it at that and left the door open for dialogue at a future date. Kennedy then stated that the Bishop told all other Bishop's not to give him the Eucharist. That was not true. The Bishop kept every correspondence confidential.

The issue here is about Congressman Kennedy's own ideas of what being Catholic is all about. Our teaching says that the taking of innocent life at any stage of life; conception to natural death is wrong

Bishop Tobin was calm and respectful while pseudo-journalist, aka Chris Matthews, came across like a spoiled adolescent arguing with his parents. It's hard to take Chris Matthews seriously...he drools and spits while pontificating and gets "thrills up his leg" while on the job.

I am very saddened by the ignorance of so called Catholics who understand nothing of Jesus Christ and his law of love which values human life from the first moment of conception until natural death. John Paul II had it right when he referred to these times as a promotion of a culture of death. Abortion is murder plain and simple and all people who live in these times will know this soon enough when facing judgement some day soon. I wonder if the Lord will allow all of the aborted babies to be present at our judgement and listen as we explain what we did or didn't do to promote life and protect the most innocent among us during these very evil days. Mother Teresa was once asked by a reporter if God is so good why doesn't he give us a cure for cancer? Mother Teresa simply turned towards the reporter looking him in the eye and said he did but the child was aborted.

Bishop Tobin is a good shepherd. He went went looking for a lost sheep from his flock (Kennedy). He tried to counsel this lost sheep about the jeopardy he had placed his soul in, but the lost sheep didn't like hearing what his shepherd said. He didn't want to hear the TRUTH. So he ran to the press to try and embarrass the good shepherd. Another lost sheep (Matthews) decided to take up the fight against the good shepherd by lecturing him on live television in a most vicious and disrespectful way. The good shepherd, like his Lord Jesus Christ standing before Pilate and those calling for his crucifixion, took the abuse and remained composed and polite to the end.

May Chris Matthews spend eternity watching reruns of his dust-up with Bishop Tobin.

I simply cannot believe the way Matthews treated one of the most amazing bishops this country has! Bishop Tobin treated Matthews with dignity and respect and obviously defended the true and awesome teachings of the Catholic Church (as all good bishops should do). All catholics should respect their bishops and the Magisterium of the Church. People should stop being rude, condescending and unkind (even when we disagree). Matthews should apologize to Bishop Tobin for his bullying and crazed ways! We should all be more like Bishop Tobin: only people who are willing to risk something are worth our admiration. We should not admire bullies and crazed people. If we do, then we promote violence and anarchy.

As a physician and a Christian, abortion is murder.

I am profoundly amazed by the magnitutde of arrogance and ignorance of these misguided pseudo-Christians like Matthews.

A lot of abortion advocates will surely end up in hellfire if unrepentant. And so I pray for them.

God alone. Forever.

Upon entering the Catholic faith each person choses to make a vow to live by its doctrine. If a person is under mortal sin doctrine clearly states that the person should not receive Jesus (communion). This doctrine has always been part of the church and the church has never changed it.

Kennedy knew this doctrine and still chose to join the church. Now he knowingly changed and violated his vow. It is not the church which made this decision but Kennedy who made the choice. He is free to leave the church and join a faith which allows promotion of killing babies and euthanasia of the elderly.

Everyone knows deep down that abortion is murder of a human being but choose to igore that because it may be inconvenient and hard to do just as all the other things the Catholic Church stands for....too hard to do so let us get rid of church teachings and do what we want when we want and have the lovely world we live in now because of it!!!

I am sick and tired of these "journalists" from both the right and the left. This includes blowhards like O'Reilly, Matthews, and Hannity.

Real journalists doing interviews attempt to have a discussion with the interview subject. They do not run away from asking hard questions, BUT they allow the interviewee to answer. Their job is not to put their own ideology out there, but rather to ask tough questions (and tougher follow up questions) so that the truth can out.

Matthews (and Hannity, and O'Reilly) are barely literate men who specialize in screaming louder than the interviewee. Their goal is not to ask good questions and give us thoughtful journalism. Rather, their goal is to further their own (most often pathetic) agendas.

That this is what passes for discourse in this nation is truly frightening. Say what you will about the Bishop's position (I tend to support him and find Kennedy immature and entitled) but that is beside the point. Matthews is a sorry excuse for a journalist, and an uncivilized man to boot.

Chris Matthews is a moron. Catholics who claim that are pro-choice are NOT catholics. Our religion is not a matter of "philosophical convenience." Either you are a catholic 100% or you are nothing!