Bishop Tobin rejects inauguration invite over Raimondo's support of abortion rights + Poll

[JimG]

More than a “high likelihood”, according to the Providence Journal photo caption she did:

Rhode Island has had many Catholic pro-abortion politicians. None of them have ever been publicly banned from receiving communion. Patrick Kennedy revealed that he had received a letter from Bishop Tobin requesting that he not receive communion, but Bishop Tobin was not the one to make that public. I am also unaware of Bishop Tobin ever telling his prebyterate to refuse a politician communion.

It may be that many pro-abortion politicians have been privately counseled by their bishops. The former pro-abortion governor of Kansas was counseled by three consecutive bishops and counseled not to be receiving the Eucharist. But she continued, and finally made public one of the letters she had received from her bishop. In response to that, the bishop made his own letter to her public, and at long last, she refrained from receiving the Eucharist. Many in the political class are particularly hard headed when it comes to understanding the gravity of their public actions in support of abortion while continuing to act as fully practicing Catholics.

 

[PeopleB4Things]

The bishop didn’t say that he wouldn’t have dinner with the new governor. He didn’t say that he wouldn’t speak to her. He said that he wouldn’t attend her inauguration because it is a bad thing that she is governor given her profession of faith that is totally discordant with her pro-abortion politics.

The whole “eating with prostitutes” argument might be the single-most overused one in contemporary Christian discourse. Just because our Lord entertained sinners doesn’t mean that we should fete their departures from the moral law, whether at parades or inaugurations. Christ didn’t shun sinners, but he didn’t stand outside brothels applauding every John that entered. Genuine outreach requires honesty and authenticity, and pretending that Raimondo’s election is a good thing is neither honest nor authentic

The bishop publicly slammed the governor and her supporters. Doubtful future dinners will do anything to change her now and it’s likely she’ll be less inclined to listen to bishop’s counsel on policy and legislation the future. Bishops aren’t necessarily formally trained in the best methods to spread the word of Christ. We all make mistakes. No big deal.

 

[Mike_Dye]

The bishop had two choices, go to the inauguration and support abortion or decline and support life.

 

[SWolf]

The bishop publicly slammed the governor and her supporters. Doubtful future dinners will do anything to change her now and it’s likely she’ll be less inclined to listen to bishop’s counsel on policy and legislation the future. Bishops aren’t necessarily formally trained in the best methods to spread the word of Christ. We all make mistakes. No big deal.

Or maybe it shows he won’t kowtow to using him as a pawn in her abhorrent politics. A doormat converts no one.

 

[pnewton]

I think the comparisons with other people and who they met with and what events they attended is irrelevant. There is no right or wrong decision that we can be aware of. Each must do as they think best and believe that God leads. I applaud him for his courage and decision, as I do all who make such decisions. If he had attended, I am sure he would have done it for the right reasons and attended with the Grace of God.

 

[pnewton]

The Bishop is more qualified to judge his actions than you are. Learn some humility, it will do you some good

Absolutely! Let us remember the same principle and have the same humility when a bishops decides other than we think best.

 

[PeopleB4Things]

Or maybe it shows he won’t kowtow to using him as a pawn in her abhorrent politics. A doormat converts no one.

He had the opportunity to influence things at the legislative level but he blew it because he needed to put his opinions and ego before his mission. He’s only human. It’s okay.

 

[Brandall]

He had the opportunity to influence things at the legislative level but he blew it because he needed to put his opinions and ego before his mission. He’s only human. It’s okay.

You seem very negative about this Bishop and I don’t know why. Your reasons are your own.

As far as influencing things at the legislative level, a Bishop sharing the Church’s position should have influence.

The honest truth is that rank and file Catholics do not vote pro life. They have such a large percentage in many states, enough so that abortion could become a thing of the past but [edit] A LOT OF Catholics do not vote pro life. [edit] If they did, they would join other pro life voters, making them the majority in many places where they are not…

As for me, this Bishop makes me proud to be a Catholic. He chose a way to get the truth out about abortion and he did it in a way that many people have heard or read it. I just wish he had checked with you first.

 

[pnewton]

He had the opportunity to influence things at the legislative level but he blew it because he needed to put his opinions and ego before his mission. He’s only human. It’s okay.

Unless we possess divinity or an active crystal ball, we do not know the future. There is no way we here can judge how effect his influence was, whether this action affected, or what influence he has in the future. As a bishop, we owe him more respect than you are showing. Again, you lack the divinity to judge his ego or motive.

 

[zz912]

He had the opportunity to influence things at the legislative level but he blew it because he needed to put his opinions and ego before his mission. He’s only human. It’s okay.

So stating and acting in accord with Church teaching is not the mission of the bishop?

What kind of mixed-up world is this?