Another Catholic politician has gone rogue. No it’s not Sarah Palin. This time it’s the son of the late Edward Kennedy, Congressman Patrick Kennedy. Kennedy represents Rhode Island’s First Congressional District in the U S House of Representatives.
It seems that Kennedy has a history of going against the Catholic Church on the abortion. In February 2007, Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence asked Kennedy not to receive Communion because of his voting record supporting abortion rights. Recently, Kennedy criticized the nation’s Catholic bishops for their opposition to the health care reform unless the Congress restricts federal funding for abortions. Since then, the two have had a harsh war of words. The feud went public when on November 10th Kennedy told reporters that he had canceled a meeting with Tobin. In response, Bishop Tobin published a letter to the Congressman in his regular column in the “Rhode Island Catholic” entitled “Without a Doubt”.
The Church has a history of Catholic politicians defying the Church’s teaching on abortion. Kennedy is one of many, including his late father. Others include Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi; former Kansas Governor and now secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius; Vice President, Joe Biden; former New York Governor, Mario Cuomo; and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
The letter is one of the best that I’ve seen by a Catholic Bishop in response to the anti-abortion stance of a Catholic politician because it defines what it means to be Catholic. It not only explains to Kennedy what his obligation as a Catholic, but is a great teaching moment because in the Bishop’s words, “…might be instructive to other Catholics, including those in prominent positions of leadership.”
Bishop Tobin refers to the “Code of Cannon Law” saying, “Lay persons are bound by an obligation and possess the right to acquire a knowledge of Christian doctrine adapted to their capacity and condition so that they can live in accord with that doctrine.” (Canon 229, #1)
He goes on to say, “…being a Catholic means that you’re part of a faith community that possesses a clearly defined authority and doctrine, obligations and expectations. It means that you believe and accept the teachings of the Church, especially on essential matters of faith and morals…”
It seems that Kennedy has a history of going against the Catholic Church on the abortion. In February 2007, Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence asked Kennedy not to receive Communion because of his voting record supporting abortion rights. Recently, Kennedy criticized the nation’s Catholic bishops for their opposition to the health care reform unless the Congress restricts federal funding for abortions. Since then, the two have had a harsh war of words. The feud went public when on November 10th Kennedy told reporters that he had canceled a meeting with Tobin. In response, Bishop Tobin published a letter to the Congressman in his regular column in the “Rhode Island Catholic” entitled “Without a Doubt”.
The Church has a history of Catholic politicians defying the Church’s teaching on abortion. Kennedy is one of many, including his late father. Others include Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi; former Kansas Governor and now secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius; Vice President, Joe Biden; former New York Governor, Mario Cuomo; and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
The letter is one of the best that I’ve seen by a Catholic Bishop in response to the anti-abortion stance of a Catholic politician because it defines what it means to be Catholic. It not only explains to Kennedy what his obligation as a Catholic, but is a great teaching moment because in the Bishop’s words, “…might be instructive to other Catholics, including those in prominent positions of leadership.”
Bishop Tobin refers to the “Code of Cannon Law” saying, “Lay persons are bound by an obligation and possess the right to acquire a knowledge of Christian doctrine adapted to their capacity and condition so that they can live in accord with that doctrine.” (Canon 229, #1)
He goes on to say, “…being a Catholic means that you’re part of a faith community that possesses a clearly defined authority and doctrine, obligations and expectations. It means that you believe and accept the teachings of the Church, especially on essential matters of faith and morals…”
Finally, because Kennedy is in a state of sin and and as the Church teaches, " Anyone conscious of a grave sin must receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to communion.", Bishop Tobin offers Kennedy the opportunity "...to enter into a sincere process of discernment, conversion, and repentance."
You can read the whole letter here.
http://www.thericatholic.com/opinion/detail.html?sub_id=2632
You can read the whole letter here.
http://www.thericatholic.com/opinion/detail.html?sub_id=2632
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