Bishop bars Patrick Kennedy from Communion over abortion
Bishop bars Patrick Kennedy from Communion over abortion
- Patrick Kennedy tells newspaper that bishop barred him from Communion
- Diocese confirms it, says ban came in a confidential pastoral discussion in 2007
- Bishop says he's "disappointed" that Kennedy made their conversation public
- Kennedy fought ban on funding abortion, but voted for health care bill that included the ban
Washington (CNN) -- Rhode Island's top Roman Catholic leader has asked Rep. Patrick Kennedy to stop taking Communion over his support for abortion rights, the diocese said Sunday.
In a statement issued Sunday, Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin said he told Kennedy in February 2007 that it would be "inappropriate" for him to continue receiving the fundamental Catholic sacrament, "and I now ask respectfully that you refrain from doing so."
Kennedy is the son of the late Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy and a scion of the most prominent Catholic family in modern U.S. politics.
The Roman Catholic Church strongly opposes abortion, which has been legal across the United States since 1973. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops lobbied for tight restrictions on federal funding of abortion in the health care bill the House of Representatives passed earlier this month.
Kennedy opposed a provision that restricted the use of federal money for abortions, but voted in favor of final passage of the bill that included that language.
In an interview published Sunday, he told the Providence Journal that Tobin had barred him from receiving Communion and instructed priests in the diocese not to administer the sacrament "because of the positions that I've taken as a public official."
In his statement, issued in response to the Kennedy interview, Tobin said his advice to the congressman was "pastoral and confidential," and he was surprised that Kennedy chose to discuss it publicly.
"I am disappointed that the congressman would make public my request of nearly three years ago that sought to provide solely for his spiritual well-being," he said.
In an October interview, Kennedy criticized the bishops for threatening to oppose the overall bill if it did not include those restrictions. That prompted Tobin to call Kennedy's position "unacceptable to the church and scandalous to many of our members."
Tobin said Sunday only that he asked Kennedy not to take Communion.
"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."
The latest exchange was comes on the 46th anniversary of the assassination of Kennedy's uncle, John F. Kennedy, the nation's first Catholic president. Patrick Kennedy is the last member of his family serving in Congress.
Luc and Emily my reason for breathing!' About 35 and over with small children:This group is for Mommies wanting to make new friends with other People are asking me about the race problem.... I know of no race problem. The great problem that confronts the American people to-day is a national problem -- whether this great nation of ours is great enough to live up to its own convictions, carry out its own declaration of independence, and execute the provisions of its own constitution. (1893)Fredrick Douglass
I wonder if Jesus, may peace be upon him, would deprive him of communion.....
You know, this is what really irks me about being a Catholic today. First of all, there is such a thing as "Separation of Church and State"- although the church seems to follow that only when it's convenient for them. By trying to influence policy shouldn't the Church lose it's tax exempt status? I bet if someone seriously looked into that, they'd be screaming "Separation of Church & State"all the way through the halls of congress!
As a Catholic I get that we are not to condone abortion in any way. I'm sure Kennedy gets that too. Here's the rub.....as an elected official he is supposed to represent his constituents- not all of whom are Catholic, obviously. The government is supposed to be all encompassing. Is Kennedy supposed to disregard the need/desire of a rape victim (for example) who seeks termination of a pregnancy because the Church is forcing his hand? I don't think so.
But my biggest issue is this. How many Catholics are taking birth control, received an abortion, married outside the church etc..that still take communion? Why not make an example out of them rather than one man? Why not clean house before taking such drastic action against another Kennedy? It's hypocritical and frustrating to say the least.
Quoting conniecabe:
You know, this is what really irks me about being a Catholic today. First of all, there is such a thing as "Separation of Church and State"- although the church seems to follow that only when it's convenient for them. By trying to influence policy shouldn't the Church lose it's tax exempt status? I bet if someone seriously looked into that, they'd be screaming "Separation of Church & State"all the way through the halls of congress!
As a Catholic I get that we are not to condone abortion in any way. I'm sure Kennedy gets that too. Here's the rub.....as an elected official he is supposed to represent his constituents- not all of whom are Catholic, obviously. The government is supposed to be all encompassing. Is Kennedy supposed to disregard the need/desire of a rape victim (for example) who seeks termination of a pregnancy because the Church is forcing his hand? I don't think so.
But my biggest issue is this. How many Catholics are taking birth control, received an abortion, married outside the church etc..that still take communion? Why not make an example out of them rather than one man? Why not clean house before taking such drastic action against another Kennedy? It's hypocritical and frustrating to say the least.
This has got to be the most unbias, honest, and truthful, replies I have seen all week.....
Join us on
Current Events & Hot Topics
Group Mod
Wow I wasn't aware that Patrick Kennedy was supposed to represent the Catholic Church in Congress.
Quoting conniecabe:
You know, this is what really irks me about being a Catholic today. First of all, there is such a thing as "Separation of Church and State"- although the church seems to follow that only when it's convenient for them. By trying to influence policy shouldn't the Church lose it's tax exempt status? I bet if someone seriously looked into that, they'd be screaming "Separation of Church & State"all the way through the halls of congress!
As a Catholic I get that we are not to condone abortion in any way. I'm sure Kennedy gets that too. Here's the rub.....as an elected official he is supposed to represent his constituents- not all of whom are Catholic, obviously. The government is supposed to be all encompassing. Is Kennedy supposed to disregard the need/desire of a rape victim (for example) who seeks termination of a pregnancy because the Church is forcing his hand? I don't think so.
But my biggest issue is this. How many Catholics are taking birth control, received an abortion, married outside the church etc..that still take communion? Why not make an example out of them rather than one man? Why not clean house before taking such drastic action against another Kennedy? It's hypocritical and frustrating to say the least.
Quoting stormcris:
Wow I wasn't aware that Patrick Kennedy was supposed to represent the Catholic Church in Congress.
this
Join us on
Current Events & Hot Topics
Group Mod
As a Catholic I am happy to see this. You know very well as a Catholic how the Church stands. There is no gray area, you are either a Catholic all of the time or not at all. You can not be a Catholic 2 days a week and someone else the other 5 days. As a Catholic you are supposed to live your life AS one. No one is forcing Kennedy to be a Catholic, as a matter of fact his actions are so polar opposite of a Catholic, he mineaswell call himself something else. The Bishop has an obligation to refuse communion to someone he KNOWS is in sin. He KNOWS Kennedy is in sin due to his stance on abortion. EVERYONE sins, however as a Catholic you are supposed to confess your sins and TRY to change and not repeat. Of course no one is perfect, nor does the Church expect anyone to be. However to blatantly sin and make no effort to change, and to make it public (as in this case), is when someone like a Bishop would take notice.
I applaud the Bishop, and I wish more would follow suit. I am sick and tired of politicians using their "religion" to sway votes when in fact they are the exact opposite of what that religion represents. I hate watching people like the Kennedy's, Pelosi, and Biden call themselves Catholics and yet act NOTHING like one. They should be ashamed of themselves for misrepresenting their faith, leading others astray, and using something like religion to only further their skewed agendas.
No offense but if they want to act as Catholics then they do not belong in Congress unless the entirety of the people they represent are Catholic, which in all of the people's cases you have mention that is not true of any.
Quoting WImom2:
As a Catholic I am happy to see this. You know very well as a Catholic how the Church stands. There is no gray area, you are either a Catholic all of the time or not at all. You can not be a Catholic 2 days a week and someone else the other 5 days. As a Catholic you are supposed to live your life AS one. No one is forcing Kennedy to be a Catholic, as a matter of fact his actions are so polar opposite of a Catholic, he mineaswell call himself something else. The Bishop has an obligation to refuse communion to someone he KNOWS is in sin. He KNOWS Kennedy is in sin due to his stance on abortion. EVERYONE sins, however as a Catholic you are supposed to confess your sins and TRY to change and not repeat. Of course no one is perfect, nor does the Church expect anyone to be. However to blatantly sin and make no effort to change, and to make it public (as in this case), is when someone like a Bishop would take notice.
I applaud the Bishop, and I wish more would follow suit. I am sick and tired of politicians using their "religion" to sway votes when in fact they are the exact opposite of what that religion represents. I hate watching people like the Kennedy's, Pelosi, and Biden call themselves Catholics and yet act NOTHING like one. They should be ashamed of themselves for misrepresenting their faith, leading others astray, and using something like religion to only further their skewed agendas.
I fully agree with the praise you have received from previous posters. This is very well said!
Quoting conniecabe:
You know, this is what really irks me about being a Catholic today. First of all, there is such a thing as "Separation of Church and State"- although the church seems to follow that only when it's convenient for them. By trying to influence policy shouldn't the Church lose it's tax exempt status? I bet if someone seriously looked into that, they'd be screaming "Separation of Church & State"all the way through the halls of congress!
As a Catholic I get that we are not to condone abortion in any way. I'm sure Kennedy gets that too. Here's the rub.....as an elected official he is supposed to represent his constituents- not all of whom are Catholic, obviously. The government is supposed to be all encompassing. Is Kennedy supposed to disregard the need/desire of a rape victim (for example) who seeks termination of a pregnancy because the Church is forcing his hand? I don't think so.
But my biggest issue is this. How many Catholics are taking birth control, received an abortion, married outside the church etc..that still take communion? Why not make an example out of them rather than one man? Why not clean house before taking such drastic action against another Kennedy? It's hypocritical and frustrating to say the least.
How far you go in life depends on your being: tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of both the weak and strong. Because someday in life you would have been one or all of these. GeorgeWashingtonCarver
That is their choice. Not the Catholic Church's. The Church should not be blamed because they follow their own rules. If someone who is Catholic decides to run for political office they can do so without throwing the Church in the mix, they can also do so without compromising their beliefs. The REAL issue here is clearly the fact that these people do not share the beliefs of the Church, and that is fine, but why pretend to be something they are not. Why misrepresent the Church? A person who is Catholic, and truly believes what the Church teaches, would not mislead voters. Thus, if elected, would indeed represent those who voted for them. That is not what happens. These people use their "religion" as a means to sway voters. They call themselves Catholic yet certainly do not live that way. Catholicism is not a past time, it is a way of life. It is not something you are only on Sunday.
Quoting stormcris:
No offense but if they want to act as Catholics then they do not belong in Congress unless the entirety of the people they represent are Catholic, which in all of the people's cases you have mention that is not true of any.
Quoting WImom2:
As a Catholic I am happy to see this. You know very well as a Catholic how the Church stands. There is no gray area, you are either a Catholic all of the time or not at all. You can not be a Catholic 2 days a week and someone else the other 5 days. As a Catholic you are supposed to live your life AS one. No one is forcing Kennedy to be a Catholic, as a matter of fact his actions are so polar opposite of a Catholic, he mineaswell call himself something else. The Bishop has an obligation to refuse communion to someone he KNOWS is in sin. He KNOWS Kennedy is in sin due to his stance on abortion. EVERYONE sins, however as a Catholic you are supposed to confess your sins and TRY to change and not repeat. Of course no one is perfect, nor does the Church expect anyone to be. However to blatantly sin and make no effort to change, and to make it public (as in this case), is when someone like a Bishop would take notice.
I applaud the Bishop, and I wish more would follow suit. I am sick and tired of politicians using their "religion" to sway votes when in fact they are the exact opposite of what that religion represents. I hate watching people like the Kennedy's, Pelosi, and Biden call themselves Catholics and yet act NOTHING like one. They should be ashamed of themselves for misrepresenting their faith, leading others astray, and using something like religion to only further their skewed agendas.
Why More Women Say They Are Willing to Pay for Sex
- emilysmom1966
on Nov. 22, 2009 at 4:23 PM