The following comes from a Jan. 6 posting on LifeSiteNews.
The Roman Catholic Bishop of Providence declined an invitation to attend Rhode Island Governor-elect Gina Raimondo’s inauguration Tuesday due to her support for “the grave moral evil” of legalized abortion.
“Over the weekend I did receive a formal written invitation to the Inauguration, the courtesy of which I appreciated,” Bishop Thomas Tobin wrote in an email to the Providence Journal. “However, as previously announced I will be offering Holy Mass at the Cathedral at that same time to ask for God’s blessings upon our state and nation and our public servants.”
“I should add, though, that in conscience, it would always be a problem for me personally to attend the inauguration of any public official who promotes or supports abortion, which we consider to be a very grave moral evil,” the bishop continued.
Raimondo, a Catholic, has been vocally at odds with her Church over the issue of abortion-on-demand. She ran on a pro-abortion platform so vehement that she vowed to support a repeal of Rhode Island’s ban on partial birth abortion, and to oppose any attempt to offer a health care package on the state health exchange that explicitly excludes abortion coverage, as federal law requires.
Previously, Bishop Tobin had offered strong words in condemnation of Raimondo’s support for abortion.
“It is always disappointing when a Catholic candidate for political office abandons the teaching of the Church on the dignity of human life for the sake of self-serving political gain,” Tobin wrote. “Such actions demonstrate an inexcusable lack of moral courage.”
“The Bishops of the United Sates addressed this situation in saying that when a Catholic, in his or her personal or professional life, knowingly repudiates the Church’s teaching on moral issues, that individual diminishes his or her communion with the Church,” Tobin added.
“Pope Francis has explained how evil abortion really is, that every aborted child bears the face of Jesus Christ. Similarly, I wish to remind Catholics of the diocese of Providence, in the clearest terms possible: Abortion is a sin, and those who provide it, promote it and support it will be held accountable by Almighty God for the unjust death of unborn children.’’
Tobin told WPRI News that he has no regrets about taking a hard line where abortion is concerned.
While he conceded that Raimondo is “smart … strong … has a clear vision [and] a way of getting things done,” he reminded viewers that the “role of the bishop is to challenge behavior we think is wrong and immoral.”
“If indeed [Raimondo] takes some extreme positions or any positions that support abortion – which we consider to be a terrible, terrible evil, a plague on our society – I will be there to challenge that,” Tobin said.
To read original post, click here.
Bishop Tobin is solidly against abortion, and in the need to correct miscreant Catholic politicians. Still, he does not appear to take blunt action, say directing all Catholic churches within his jurisdiction to deny Ms. Raimondo communion, under Canon 915.
The Governor is clearly a piece of demonic work. Imagine — a Catholic wanting to repeal the State’s partial birth abortion ban. What is stopping the Bishop from telling her, say on public TV, that the doors of the confessional are open, but that, until she comes in to confess, she is not to present herself for communion in any Catholic Church in Providence.
Who knows, this act of courage might even get one or two of the enormously cowardly apostate bishops to stand up to the abortionist and homofascist brigades and be willing to forego the parties and happy faces, and witness to the True Faith.
St, Christopher, how do you know that Bishop Tobin allows Holy Communion for those politicians who support abortion ?
Please provide an official link to support your statement.
In fact, St. Christopher even the secular press is more accurate than you are in this matter.
Bishop Tobin will not let the infamous Ted Kennedy’s Son, Patrick receive Holy Communion. (Patrick has since even been excommunicated.)
https://nypost.com/2009/11/22/kennedy-communion-ban-over-abortion/
“PETE”: No one questions — and the post did not — that Bishop Tobin advised Kennedy not to present himself for communion; it is unclear whether that is a diocese-wide policy. If not, it should be.
Your comments are always so text-book Zombie-Liberal, “PETE”: instead of addressing the issue presented, you (and your allies) always say, “prove it”. Of course, this is an old debaters trick, particularly in that it usually is incapable of proof.
Let’s turn your question around: You call the bishop and ask about the Diocesan policy on applying Canon 915. Perhaps you could also ask if the bishop has ever applied it to the governor? Let us know.
Of course, you (and your pals) raise such questions in an attempt to discredit the Writer. This approach is preferred by Zombie-Liberals rather than looking at the question. Better to keep the Reader in the dark, or focused away from the need to keep pro-aborts away from communion, than let them think about, and discuss, it.
Almost anything accurate is capable of being proven through the internet with official links from the Vatican, Diocese web site, or Parish web site.
Court documents are public as well.
Politicians voting records are public and linked.
Don’t make false excuses ‘St. Christopher’. You can also post pdf files if you have requested and personally received information from any Clergy.
It took no courage for Bishop Tobin to excuse himself from attending the inaugural; after all, he was set to say Mass at the same time. It’s all words, words, words. No action. To implement Canon 915 — THAT would be an act of courage.
I’m sorry, but Cd. Dolan is always available for whenever any pro=abortion politician or homosexual Mass needs a cheerleader , so I think your criticism of Bishop Tobin is unduly harsh, Dan. He could always find someone to take his place at Mass. I think we’re all getting so used to criticizing our bishops that when we have authentic and caring ones, we’re unreasonable about them. Let’s show a little love and support!
Dan, all Catholics know that any Bishop can re-arrange his own schedule based on importance.
You should start investigating yourself, rather than paying attention to other posters who have an agenda to demean others.
Bishop Tobin told US REP Patrick Kennedy (a pro-abortion politician) that he could not receive Holy Communion. – – – – Been there done that !
https://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/22/kennedy.abortion/index.html
Please post accurately in the future. If you can not provide proof, do not slander others.
We will never reform the Church — that is, undo the post Vatican II extremes that have left so many Catholics adrift — if we insist, as you do Dan, on sacrificing the good for the perfect. The bishop made a very powerful public statement against abortion. He deserves our praise.
St. Christopher and Dan you are truthful voices. If Canon Law can be readily cited to effectively hide Tabernacles in broom closets then by the Church’s own teaching in the CCC second edition, the continuing failure to use Canon 915 to protect the Blessed Sacrament, truly seems like a very grave sin of omission. It points to culpability. If you can use Canon Law and reason to hide Our Lord, then you can also use Canon Law and reason to protect the Blessed Sacrament from being profaned. It is also a failure in fraternal charity to not help the sinner truly reflect on their sinfulness. Yes It is good that Bishop Tobin is solidly against abortion. That is his duty. May God grant all of our bishops the grace to have much more than an a-ha moment when it comes to showing courageous leadership. The lack of action has spoken so loudly that no one can hear the occasional written word.
continued…..
THE PROLIFERATION OF SIN
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SECOND EDITION
#1868 Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them:
– by *participating directly and voluntarily* in them; = Cardinals and Bishops freely giving Holy Communion to very well known obstinate pro-abort politicians.
– by ordering, advising, *praising*, or approving them; = Al Smith dinner smiling photo ops that cause great scandal and send mixed messages of approval.
– by not disclosing or *not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so* = failure in charity to use Canon 915 to help the obstinate sinner reflect on their sinfulness and their great need for repentance. A failure to hinder the repeated profaning of the Blessed Sacrament.
– by *protecting* evil-doers. to not hinder or discipline is to protect evil-doers who legislate the slaughter of the unborn.
Catholic Bishop Leaves Democratic Party for GOP; 2012 DNC Was Last Straw
August 14, 2013 – 4:08 PM
Bishop Thomas Tobin
Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
(CNSNews.com) – Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin, head of the diocese of Providence, R.I., said he recently changed his voter registration from Democrat to Republican, noting that the 2012 Democratic National Convention and the Democrats’ strong support for abortion and homosexual “marriage” was the last straw.
Taken from CNS News
Catholic Bishop Leaves Democratic Party for GOP; 2012 DNC Was Last Straw
August 14, 2013 – 4:08 PM
Bishop Thomas Tobin
Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
(CNSNews.com) – Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin, head of the diocese of Providence, R.I., said he recently changed his voter registration from Democrat to Republican, noting that the 2012 Democratic National Convention and the Democrats’ strong support for abortion and homosexual “marriage” was the last straw.
“The a-ha moment for me was the 2012 Democratic National Convention – it was just awful,” said Tobin on Tuesday before a meeting of the Rhody Young Republicans in Providence. Tobin is 65 and has been a registered Democrat since 1969.
Bishop Tobin is one of the good guys.
No Holy Communion for politicians who support abortion – like Rep Patrick Kennedy,
and leaving the Party of Death, the Democratic Party,
and no going to the inaugurations of Catholic heretics who support abortion.
(Others have provided the links.)
Both St. Christopher and Dan owe Bishop Tobin an apology. Their evil attacks on good Bishops must stop.
In charity I hope that both were just ignorant and decided not to check anything out before slandering a good Bishop’s name.
What is that old Christopher saying? “It is better to light just one little candle than to sit and curse the dark?”
Take the time to read the objected-to post, “ANDREW”, and a subsequent post. No word that Abp. was not a “good” bishop, or that he did not do a good thing in denying Kennedy communion.
In effect, a question was posed — did Abp. Tobin ban all churches from giving out communion to all politicians that favor anti-Catholic policies, like abortion and pro-homosexual marriage?
That question is still unanswered.
St. Christopher, did you ask Bishop Tobin your question, or merely trying to slander him ?
Stop trying to harm the reputation of good and decent Bishops who are doing their job – according to the Church (not according to your personal lack of knowledge).
Also St, Christopher, EVERY time you see or know of any pro-abortion politician receiving Holy Communion – do you notify the appropriate Diocese Bishop as required in CCC 907, and
Code of Canon Law 212 #3 ?
If not, why are you REFUSING to do YOUR duty ?
(Slothfulness is a capital sin.)
Jesus said to take the log out of your own eye before you take the splinter out of your brother’s, or do not judge.
Mt. 7:5; and Lk 6:42.
The fact is that Bishop Tobin has neither done nor said anything spectacular. He has merely done what any spiritual shepherd SHOULD do, and perhaps he could do more. What makes him stand out is that he is one of the very FEW bishops who act like real shepherds and not hirelings. Unlike the hirelings, he does not hide behind phony excuses or avoid the issue by concentrating on ‘social justice’ issues. He is obviously not intimidated by the media, or by powerful politicians as is characteristic of the hirelings.
He is clearly concerned about the effect that dissenting Catholic politicians or other public officials will have on the faithful of his diocese. He says “I wish to remind Catholics of the diocese of Providence, in the clearest terms possible: Abortion is a sin, and those who provide it, promote it and support it will be held accountable by Almighty God for the unjust death of unborn children.’’ Hirelings don’t talk that way. They rarely seem to give any thought to the damage done to the faithful by their own actions or those of the politicians whom they court so shamelessly.
The Archbishop is doing his duty in an environment where nearly all of his peers recoil from doing theirs. That is very difficult, and for that reason his actions are heroic.
Bishop Tobin is not only trying to teach the sinful Catholic politician,
but also educating the rest of those in his Diocese at the same time.
There are 4 Mortal Sins involved by the politician who publically professes to be Catholic and publically supports one of the Intrinsic Evils such as Abortion.
1) Supporting ABORTION through legislation and other legal means;
2) Confusing others regarding the serious and sinfulness of abortions;
3) Remotely participating in the abortions of others;
4) Scandal for all the uncatechized regarding the required positions of Catholics.
God bless Bishop Tobin. The Church needs ALL its bishops (and priests) to stand up to these abortionist and sodomite minions of Satan trying to destroy the Church from within.
Abortion + Sodomy = Two Sacraments of Satanism
I agree juergensen God bless him. HE even spoke against gay marriage. What a holy Bishop. Lets keep him in our prayers.
Abeca, I have been a great admirer of Bishop Tobin ever since he stood up to abortionist-homosexualist Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D., Taxachusetts) and ordered him not to receive Communion. Tobin has more courage to stand up for the faith than 99% of AmChurch.
Juergensen i could see why he is admired. He is a holy witness of Christ’s holy and apostolic Catholic church. There are more holy bishops like him. Our Lord keeps His promises to us, we just have to be holy and obedience is one if the attributes that it contains to lead us to holiness. We must be prayerful always and trust in Him alone. God bless you my friend.
Bravo to a bishop who understands his role is pastoral, not political. By his refusal to give a Church stamp of approval to the latest pro-abort hack, Bishop Tobin has shown how to treat openly sinful figures. Presumably he will address the Governor-elect in private about the state of her eternal soul…
I agree Kristin. God bless you.
Bishop Tobin seems sincere, in his defense of pro-life. However, ALL of our Church’s leaders, truly fail to take proper action, in regard to serious, unrepentant sin, by so-called “Catholics” in public life, who really need the strong discipline of: EXCOMMUNICATION!! Our modern, post-Vatican II Church leaders are an abysmal FAILURE!! A DISGRACE to Christ!!
Linda Marie, Bishop Tobin has already refused Holy Communion to Ted Kennedy’s son Patrick.
Please stop demeaning ALL Bishops, it shows your ignorance.
Bishops have no control over those in other Diocese. Pay attention.
Apologize for your CALUMNY against Bishop Tobin.
You should be singing the praises of the Good Bishops. They need our support not our lies.
Code of Canon Law: ” Can. 915 Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.”
Thank you Christine W for your humble and charitable correction of the bad behavior of the many regulars here. They support even defiance from the SSPX So that should be a dead give away of the type of people we are dealing with! They appear to be Catholic but they promote schismatic and heretical tones of defiance here, very often. Be prepared for slander on your good name.
God bless you!
Abeca, you’re advertising again. One should also not bait others to sin, dear lady, for to do so is to contribute to the very ‘scandal’ you say you wish to avoid.
You have also just encouraged Christine in calumniating Linda Maria who did not say anything untoward about Bishop Tobin. Quite the opposite. To misconstrue Linda Maria’s very clear post is the true sign of ignorance and posting Canon 915 only underscored her point as not all Bishops enforce it.
That said, one must have a good name to slander, Abeca. If one slanders their own name as one dear lady I know on CCD, that too is not the fault of others – no matter how often they want to shirk blame.
Vituperous.
Distraction.
Anonymous you got that right. She also raises herself above God. May God have mercy on their immoral soul.
Ahh, Bishop Tobin will not have a bad conscience. I think of the late Mario Cuomo, politician lauded for all his political successes in NY as Governor. Too bad my own university officials at St. Johns did not have the moral courage to call him to task for his support of abortion. Might they now be worried that they contributed to a trend of celebrating errant Catholics and will be in some way responsible for their souls? There is still time to turn from evil(abortion and its promotion) for Raimondo and all Catholic office holders(Pelosi, Kerry, etc.) Will they serve the God of life? Or, will they serve their own worldly interests? Time will tell. Hosea calls them back.
Each Diocese Bishop is responsible for everything “Catholic” within his own Diocese.
Bishop Tobin is not even located in the same state as the politicians you mention, yet alone the same Diocese.
Please make your posts as clear and accurate as possible in the public media.
You make your posts clear, too. Bishop Tobin banned abortionist-homosexualist Rep. Patrick Kennedy from Communion.
Does she ever even present herself for Communion? If not, then there is time enough to make that scene when she does. It’s not as if she isn’t highly recognizable.
Caroline,
I read somewhere that her daughter is a regular “Altar Girl” at their “parsish”!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts!
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika and His Church!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Kenneth M. Fisher, Founding Director
Concerned Roman Catholics of America, Inc.
God bless Bishop Tobin for having the courage obey the precepts of the Church, . It’s sad that other Cardinals, bishops and priests would rather be popular and be invited to important events.
God Bless Bishop Tobin and all those Shepherds that truly protect their flock.
God bless Bishop Tobin for his strong moral stand.
Amen to that SandaD and Sarah!
Poster ” St. Christopher” and a very few others would have our good Bishops violate the Code of Canon Law for the poster’s own edification – because they think they know better than the Church.
There is a OFFICIAL procedure for excommunication and it is outlined in CODE of CANON LAW.
” BOOK VI. SANCTIONS IN THE CHURCH LIBER VI. DE SANCTIONIBUS IN ECCLESIA” Parts I & II.
https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM
THE APPLICATION OF PENALTIES (Cann. 1341 – 1353)
https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P50.HTM
Can. 1341 An ordinary (Bishop) is to take care to initiate a judicial or administrative process to impose or declare penalties ONLY AFTER he has ascertained that FRATERNAL CORRECTION,
or rebuke,
or other means of pastoral solicitude cannot sufficiently repair the scandal, restore justice, reform the offender. ”
If any Bishop does not adhere to Canon Law, he can be turned over in the Court of Appeal.
‘St. Christopher’ educate yourself.
When you witness a Sacrilege worthy of enforcing Canon 915 against any INDIVIDUAL, contact the specific Diocese Bishop yourself, or you have not done your “Duty”.
“SAM” your comment, well, is nonsensical, except as an effort to confuse CCD Readers. The Zombie-Liberals, who pretty much run things now, and with whom you have obvious common-cause, have no trouble threatening excommunication over anything Traditional, such as even going to Mass at a SSPX chapel. See the inane threats of Bishops Sarlinga (Zarate-Compana, Argentina), and Semeraro (Albano, Italy); and there are others, including the most intemperate language of B. Zubik (Pittsburgh, PA).
What Bishop Tobin did regarding Patrick Kennedy was proper and necessary. The question is simply whether Bishop Tobin also issued direction to all churches within his Diocese to also deny communion, under Canon 915, to all politicians, particularly the Governor of the State, that serve the Master of This World, Satan, by supporting and advancing abortion, homosexual sexual rights, and other things so fully inconsistent with the Catholic Faith.
Thanks for the tip about education. Please use some self-help there, as well.
Bishop Tobin’s good deed will not go unpunished on this site. For those of you who live on the left coast, you need to understand the importance and significance of what Bishop Tobin said and did in the state of Rhode Island which is primarily Catholic. It is a small and insular state with its own sub-culture. Many of its citizens are proud that they have never left the state, even to venture into Mass. to shop. OK, I exaggerate a bit to make a point, but in that state, in New England what Bishop Tobin did was a big deal. Let’s give him some credit instead of trying to beat him up.
We should ALWAYS STRONGLY SUPPORT our Bishops and Priests who do good, and are Faithful to the teachings of Christ and His Church.
Those who do not scandalize the Faithful.
Posters who bash ALL Bishops and ALL Priests are evil, and doing the devil’s work.
There are good Bishops and bad Bishops, good Priests and bad Priests – just like the original 12 Apostles (including Judas Iscariot).
CCC: ” 888 Bishops, with priests as co-workers, have as their first task “to preach the Gospel of God to all men,” in keeping with the Lord’s command. They are “heralds of faith, who draw new disciples to Christ; they are authentic teachers” of the apostolic faith “endowed with the authority of Christ.”
Mk 16:15.
Use your Bible, CCC, Code of Canon Law, or GIRM when you have questions about the actions of any Bishop or Priest.
Bishop Tobin publically deserves our strong support and praise.
Cardinal Dolan deserves our public censure for accepting the position of Grand Poobah in the upcoming nationally televised 2015 St. Patrick’s Parade – the first to PROMOTE the homosexual lifestyle;
and Dolan’s not caring about his public scandal which is a mortal sin.
CCC 2258.
Amen to that SAM. I especially agree with you calling it like it is. Their behavior IS EVIL. I appreciate your piety. God bless you.
On this we agree Bob one…maybe for the first time. ;) Rhode Island is also a very liberal Catholic state like Massachussetts. You won’t see Cd. O’malley, for example, doing anything even remotely like this. As a matter of fact, I see Cds/ Dolan, OMalley & Wuerl as the Bermuda Triangle of the East…things have a way of becoming mysteriously out of synch with reality and especially the teachings of the Church.