St John's Valdosta has the text of a cracking letter from Bishop Thomas Tobin in response to Congressman Patrick Kennedy “The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.”Bishop Tobin takes the congressman to task particularly on the question of the sanctity of human life:
Your rejection of the Church’s teaching on abortion falls into a different category – it’s a deliberate and obstinate act of the will; a conscious decision that you’ve re-affirmed on many occasions. Sorry, you can’t chalk it up to an “imperfect humanity.” Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members. It absolutely diminishes your communion with the Church.
12 comments:
Most Reverend Bishop,
I'm impressed!! What a great letter! I can only hope Congressman Kennedy is equally impressed! LRS
As I wrote on another person's blog ; Thank God for Bishop Tobin. We need more like him. Can anyone imagine the Cardinal writing in similar vein to Mr Tony BLiar?
That's great.
It is a step.
Bp Tobin is like a referee at a football who has actually blown his whistle and warned (green card) a known, habitual eye gouger. The rules however indicate that the crime carries the penalty of a life ban.
No other referee has had the temerity to quote the rules ...
The next step would be for a Bishop to get out the yellow or red card ...
Yes, excellent letter from Bishop Tobin – and badly needed here in the US where so many Catholics in public life are a scandal to the faithful for their views on abortion. From the time John F. Kennedy said something to the effect that he wouldn’t let his beliefs ‘interfere’ with how he ran the country, Catholics in public life have thumbed their noses at Catholic Doctrine, trying to be ‘all things to all people’.
Most, like JFK, got a pass from the clergy and hierarchy or were even aided and abetted by them (Fr. Drinan comes to mind). Thus we got people like Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, John Kerry, Ted Kennedy and many others who flouted – and continue to flout - Catholic teaching with impunity.
As Bishop Tobin notes this is not only a matter of what it means to be a Catholic and personal salvation, but it can lead others to think this is okay and thus it is in the public domain, a scandal to others. I can think of a few other bishops who need to take pen in hand in similar vein!
Dear Father Finigan
Yesterday on the 180 bus, two young women were openly talking about abortion and the number that they were allowed to have.
To my shame I said nothing as I was about to get off the bus at Abbey Wood to change for Erith.
Please forgive me.
In my life I have learned that a human being is made up of a body and a soul, and that the soul is in place from inception to completion.
God knows exactly how many souls have been tipped down the drain called abortion when an unwanted babies are terminated.
Please consider this comment to be a prayer for the souls of all the poor babies who were never given a chance of life.
Our Lady of the Rosary pray for us!
About time the bishops of New England stop fawning and slobbering over the Kennedy family's overall proabortion stance.
I joined the Anglican Communion because of differences that were far removed from an unborn child's right to life (which I support 100%). If the Senator's not for moving, perhaps Bishop Tobin could point remind him that, as venerable an institution as the Roman Catholic Church is, there's life outside? And, as Pastor Eamonn says, he could copy the letter to Blair!
Fraternal Correction - that great act of Christian Charity - is about 'telling it as it is'!
No verbal gymnastics or mealy mouthed meaningless gibberish - just the Truth.
Let's hope the wise Bishop's words are taken in very deeply by this Congressman and indeed others who seem to find their consciences are 'out to lunch' whenever pro-life issues come up for review and the vote.
More courageous and outspoken Bishops WILL make the difference!
It all boils down to the same thing - poor Catholic Formation over the last 40+ some years.
'Do you accept the teachings of the Church on essential matters of faith and morals, including our stance on abortion? Do you belong to a local Catholic community, a parish? Do you attend Mass on Sundays and receive the sacraments regularly? Do you support the Church, personally, publicly, spiritually and financially?'
What a wonderful Bishop. I love the questions he puts to Congressman Kennedy. In fact these questions should be put to everyone who calls themselves Catholic.
The beauty of our faith is that there are not grey areas. What the Church teaches is what we need to believe. Simple!!
Even more simple, is to teach our children the faith, in fact much of what the secular world strives for is what we are fighting against.
I am following your blog.
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That's an awesome letter by Bishop Tobin. Cardinal O'Malley, take note!
I liked the subtle reference to JFK's book, Profiles in Courage. Tis a shame that JFK and his progeny have not had the courage to carry the fullness of the Catholic Faith into the public square. Instead, they have exchanged the glory of Christ for the praise of the world, and hidden their lamp under a bushel basket.
Dear Father Finigan
Congratulations on being invited to contribute a lecture or to participate in a webconferencing faith community by Dayton Catholic Worker Movement in the U$.
It would be great if the Catholic Internet Television Network were to ask for SOS international 999 prayers for your "UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY" Parish, Our Lady of the Rosary, Blackfen, England.
At the next General Election former Met Police Inspector Michael Barnbrook, the malevolent neo-Nazi BNP's Police Spokesman, will be standing as a candidate for MP in Our Lady of the Rosary's Parish, Blackfen, which is in the late Sir Edward Heath's Old Bexley & Sidcup constituency.
Our Lady of the Rosary pray for us in BNP leader Nick Griffin MEP's EU/GLA/LDA/ODA NEO-NAZI DEVELOPMENT TIMES Amen
Yours sincerely
Roy Hobson aka Our Lady's Vesper ON-LINE +
More From:www.spreadtheword.org.uk 's cityofsharedstories YouTube - Roy Hobson (From Dark to Light Too)
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