Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

Patches wants a private talk to get political cover and nothing else. Nothing but a big phoney.

If Mr. Kennedy sees fit to attack the Catholic Church in the public sphere, then the church has the right to respond to that attack in the public sphere. Mr. Kennedy, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. And Mr. Kennedy, you're running away because you don't want to hear any reasoned argument as to why you are wrong.

"I'm not going to engage this anymore"= "I don't know squat about my faith and since I'm losing this argument I'm not going to discuss it publicly anymore."

Notice he failed to adequately answer even one of the Bishop's straightforward questions. Notice that he's whining now about this discussion being public when HE is the one who started this entire discussion in the media.

You can't have it both ways Patches. You can't claim to wear your Catholicism on your sleeve and then go on to prove that you truly know nothing about it.

Your Catholicism obviously means nothing to you. Do the honorable thing and choose another denomination. Then perhaps you will stop being a hypocrite.

I'm just looking forward to the day when the Bishop and other leaders of the Catholic Church treat pro-death penalty politicians the same way they treat those who support choice. If the issue is purely a matter of church teaching regarding the sanctity of life, the approach should be the same. Yet I can't recall pro-death penalty pols being threatened in this manner.

"I don't want anyone hounding my pastor."
Patrick thinks the Bishop is going to hound his pastor? The bishop is discussing how a true Catholic would behave. Most Catholics don't stay true to the teaching. But if it's going to be a discussion about true Catholic behavior, you have to discuss it in terms of the ideal. Is Kennedy paranoid or something? He is afraid of someone getting him on the record, like in a YouTube video or something. At some point, you have to fish or cut bait.

This is a classic case of bishophobia.

Whether or not one agrees with the Church's position on abortion, all must agree that -- in light of its position -- the Church had a take a stand and not compromise with Kennedy. If only everyone -- including the church -- could always be so principled, disclipended, and stand with their convictions, this country would not be a disaster.

How could Kennedy even begin to think the church could support a bill of any kind that contained public funded abortion. How can he be so clueless?? A mind is a terrible thing to waste Patches!

The church has made their stance on this pretty clear - they'd rather be small and ideologically pure than large and cafeteria Catholic. There are no shortage of other religions for anyone with a problem with that

Indiscretion is the point of Rep Kennedy's and he is absolutely correct, but this is just one of the character faults of the erstwhile Bishop of Providence who seeks to impose his view on those who are not part of his flock.

Bishop shows not only his ignorance but also arrogance in this disrespect and shows an inability to understand that Patrick Kennedy represents all the people in his district not just Catholics. The fact the Bishop does not grasp that this is a secular society gives him more similarities to the Taliban than I care to imagine. But then given the cynical modus operandi of the church, maybe Bishop Tobin is just angling for a promotion, maybe an archbishop position. I say good riddance.

Your relationship with God through the Catholic Church should not be public. If this information is public then so is the information on pedophile priests.

I am a Catholic but I don't want my church trying to dictate how others live.

I am not a big fan of Patrick Kennedy, but I think he's absolutely right here. This is a private matter that Bishop Tobin has unwisely turned into a political football. Why does abortion rights have to be the litmus test for so many things? I want good government, not some preachy politician or for that matter preachy priest meddling into politics. Bishop Tobin harms the church when he tries to turn all Catholics into automatons. We all know that Catholics are usually secretly the least observant of the the Church's directives. Lot of good the Church's directives did on celibacy for priests - it cost the church a lot of money and destroyed a lot of lives.

Whatever happened to the policy of the seperation of Church & State? The Catholic church shouldn't be throwing stones at Kennedy anymore than he should be critical of the church. The church can't legislate morality any more than the state can prevent pedophiles from enrolling in the preisthood.

These two should go to their neutral corners & wait for the final bell to ring. At that time we'll all be judged on the paths we chose to walk.

I have often read from theists, that the only way to have morals is to have God. Implied in that stance is the idea that to believe in God = being moral. We can see what nonsense that is in Tobin's actions.

The 18th century philosopher and ethicist Immanuel Kant pointed out that the moral imperatives include "never treating others as a means only, but also as ends in themselves." Tobin has clearly violated not only his clerical duty, but also Kant's basic tenet of moral behavior. In publishing a letter about a private matter to "teach others" he has clearly acted in a utilitarian manner, sacrificing Kennedy to his "larger audience."

And even his proffered excuse of teaching others is questionable, given the supercilious tone of his letter. Shame on Tobin, shame.

look at the history of the catholic church, they have no right to judge anyone. Till the open their books for all the world to see I will never have any support for them. It's Ok to molest boys as long as you sister doesn't get an abortion. Once again, I thank my father for NOT raising me a catholic.

Patrick is not a Catholic since he does not believe or agree with the moral teachings of the Church. Glad the Bishop said what he did regarding public officials who claim membership in a religion but act the opposite in public.

What happened to seperation of church and state. Kennedy is a moron and the Tobin is worse for getting involved with him. Who cares.......don't you think that there is more important things that both of them should be dealing with? Like maybe the war and rogue priests???????????

Kennedy and Langevin both voted aye for the health care bill. Late at night, after the protesters left. Again they did not hear us. Well can you hear us now???? You will not be re-elected come next November. Start packing your bags because you have been negligent in the performance of your duties, and that is to abide by the U.S. Constitution. You should resign immediately.

Tobin is first and always a spiritual advisor to Kennedy who is a member of the bishop's flock. As such Kennedy has a right to expect that any conversation with his spiritual advisor would be held in confidence. God's law respects all life but God respects man's right of free agency bishop Tobin and the other pro-lifers have taken a stance that does not allow individuals to practice the free agency that Heavenly Father held so dear that he gave his only Son to redeem us that we might choose our own path and not be forced to do his will; less it be by our own choice.
Tobin needs respect the will of Heavenly Father, respect the individuals that seek his counsel, and let judgment fall to our savior for he has paid the price and will show mercy if and when it is do. We are not here to force others to God’s will but ask that they accept it of their own heart and not by the sword of Tobin.

Just another yelp as the bishop and catholic church ride down the road to irrelevancy.

Patrick's original point was that the Church should not stand in the way of the greater good stemming from the extension of health care to those who do not currently have it simply because it felt a provision that would have kept federal dollars from funding abortions was not strong enough. Tobin responded in absolutist and very personal terms. Patrick is demonstrating true compassion for God's creatures. Tobin is being narrow and vengeful.

Patches is completely irrelevant. Projo, please stop covering him you are waisting our time and yours.

When your a politician nonthing is private,he should know that,if he cant stand the heat go back to Ma.where he belongs and leave R.I. alone.

Does anyone remember when Patrick Kennedy pushed that old black airport security lady because she tried to stop him from pushing an oversized bag through the carry on x ray device? or when Patrick got stopped for drunk/ drugged driving while going to a vote at 2 in the morning? or the time when Patrick got in a fight with a girl on his Yacht? or the time when he said "I have never worked a [bleeping] day in my life."?
How dare the Bishop question this great Senator?

Boy, I am beginning to have more and more respect for Patrick Kennedy. His strength, his asserting the right of conscience against the right-wing ideologue, my dear Bishop Tobin, gives strength to all of us who are practicing Catholics who like Gallileo happen to disagree with the methods (in the case of Bishop Tobin his unChrist-like and frequent use of threats instead of example) many in this currently ultra-orthodox hierarchy use instead of the LOVE Christ taught us to use. Shame on Bishop Tobin. He brings nothing but scandal and is making his POLITICAL disagreements about himself instead of about what it really means to be a Catholic: "...love one another as I have loved you." Humility, your Excellency, humility...and please, lead by example my dear Bishop and not with threats...threats never work against those who follow the example of the many saints our Catholic faith have taught us to emulate...

To all who criticize the good Bishop Tobin for his necessary public response. Keep in mind it was Congressman Kennedy who chose the public forum to pick this fight castigating the Catholic Church for its stance on abortion then posturing as a good Catholic to boot. Hey if you can't dish it out....bring it on Congressman.

Kennedy haters probably don't want to recognize Patrick is correct: no one in America should be forced to publicly defend their personal beliefs. Especially a politician - he represents all people in his district. The Bishop is way over the line in challenging Patrick's faith publicly.

If the good Bishop really has in his heart to advise Patrick, pick up the phone and do it in private. On second thought, Patrick, don't ever talk to him. How can you trust this man, Bishop Tobin, as a spiritual adviser? What's sacred to him? Probably not your conversation if he somehow can get media out of it! Shame on the Bishop...

Unfortunately for the Catholic church, they keep giving Catholics reasons to leave. People may identify themselves as Catholics but if everyone was publicly put to the test as Bishop Tobin would like, he would sadly realize most of his flock can't be called Catholics by his standards - and therefore his political clout and relivance would leave too...

I hope the Bishop uses this "time out" to meditate on his heart and intentions. Where's the love? Where's leading by example for the flock? Instead we've seen an angry bully who will throw someone under the bus if it gets him a story and political power. I don't think that's what Jesus would do. Bishop, you do remember Jesus don't you?

Bishop Tobin's cold arrogance and condescending manner towards Patrick Kennedy is one of the reason so many young people have left the Catholic Church. As a Catholic, my personal experience regarding the relationship between Pastor and Parishoner and/or Spiritual Advisor is sacred and confidential. Bullying brazen actions like those of Bishop Tobin, who then denied he was trying to embarrass and Judge Congressman Kennedy are not only hypocritical..but they are meanspirited. Bishop you are right up there with the terrifying paintings of the angry God who hurled lightning bolts from the sky if one sinned from my youth.Seperation of Church and State?! I guess there are a lot of us who don't "qualify" as being Catholics from the rants and demands of Bishop Tobin. I am so grateful for a Pastor that I love, trust and confide in. I don't believe humiliation and subjection to public spectacle is what Jesus had in mind ? What happened to kindness and forgiveness Father?