Right Juris

Rhode Island Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has acknowledged publicly that Rep. Patrick Kennedy is barred from communion over abortion. This came after Kennedy himself had made an announcement about the conflict. There has been a month-long conflict between the top Roman Catholic Bishop in Rhode Island and Kennedy over the democratic lawmaker’s stance on abortion.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy

A dispute between Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin and Representative Patrick Kennedy started in October 2009 when Kennedy publicly criticized Catholic bishops who have threatened to oppose Obama and Pelosi’s health care legislation on the basis that it includes abortions that would be paid for with tax-payer’s money. The bishops have demanded that lawmakers include tighter restrictions on abortion or face their opposition. Tobin responded to Kennedy’s attacks on the church by demanding an apology.

The battle between Tobin and Kennedy has been very public for the past month. Tobin has admitted that he suggested Kennedy refrain from receiving communion as early as February 2007 because of his political support of unrestricted abortion which stands in stark opposition to the stance of the Catholic church. Tobin wrote public letters stating that Kennedy’s position on abortion is scandalous and unacceptable to the church. He went so far as to question Kennedy’s faith. Kennedy, on the other hand, has stated that his views and political activities don’t make him less of a Catholic.

Kennedy has stated that he no longer wants to discuss his Catholic faith in public, but has continued to discuss it. He told newspapers that Tobin had barred him from communion and had instructed other priests to not allow him to take communion. Tobin denies the allegations, but admits that he asked him not to take communion in 2007, but that he was never formally barred the Congressman from participating in the Eucharist.

“I have no desire to continue the discussion of Congressman Kennedy’s spiritual life in public,” he said. “At the same time, I will absolutely respond publicly and strongly whenever he attacks the Catholic Church, misrepresents the teachings of the church or issues inaccurate statements about my pastoral ministry.”

For his part, Congressman Kennedy has stated that he viewed the monstrous health care bill as ‘pro-life’ and therefore should be accepted by the Catholic church which he thought was ‘pro-life’ as well. He says the bill will save lives. No word on how he squares that in his conscious with the anti-life abortions he supports.

Photos: Carrie Devorah / www.wenn.com