Rep Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island AP Photo| Stew Mine
Representative Patrick Kennedy(D-RI), a Roman Catholic, has been asked to refrain from taking communion by his bishop because of Kennedy’s blatant defiance over Catholic teachings, especially in regards to the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.
What was at one time, a private debate between the two, has now been made public after Kennedy’s interview with John Mulligan of the Providence Journal on Sunday, November 22, 2009. The article implies that this is a fairly recent decision of Bishop Tobin’s, which in fact, is not true. The dialog started in February, 2007.
Apparently, almost three years ago, Bishop Thomas Tobin of the diocese of Rhode Island, wrote a private, confidential letter to Kennedy requesting him to refrain from taking the sacrament of the Eucharist. This request came because of Kennedy’s overt pro-abortion stance. The bishop claims that there never has been orders to the diocesan priests to withold it from Kennedy.
It should be noted that Catholics who deliberately defying the teachings of the Church are not in "full communion” with the Church. IT is not a judgment on any one person's part; it's a fact. This means breaking any of the 10 commandments(one is "Thou shall not kill") as well as those who openly promote abortion, euthanasia and other life and death issues should refrain from communion. The Catholic Church IS pro-life.
According to Bishop Tobin, this communication was made in a pastoral sense, confidentially, leaving open the door for the two to have dialogue concerning this matter.
Kennedy, in the above mentioned interview this past weekend, told Mulligan that ““...The bishop instructed me not to take Communion and said that he has instructed the diocesan priests not to give me Communion.” Bishop Tobin denies ever instructing his priests to withhold communion from Kennedy.
Any Catholic that is in a state of sin should never receive communion until the sacrament of reconciliation takes place. St. Paul writes in I Corinthians: “So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.”
Because the congressman is a Kennedy, this situation has made national headlines, once again revealing the general misunderstandings of Catholic theology and teachings. This confusion lies within Catholics who are not well catechized or refuse to accept the teaching of the Magisterium, as most Protestants.
Because this private pastoral matter has become public, Bishop Tobin has felt the need to respond. He wrote:
,,,"I am writing to you personally and confidentially as a pastor addressing a member of his flock … At the present time I have no need or intention to make this a public issue." I also indicated, "I am available to discuss this matter with you in person at any mutually convenient time and place. I would welcome the opportunity to do so."
“On February 28, 2007, the Congressman responded to me, "I have the utmost respect for the work you do on behalf of the Catholic community in Rhode Island. . . I understand your pastoral advice was confidential in nature and given with the best intentions for my personal spiritual welfare." Catholic Online
Now that it is brought out into the open, the question is why did Kennedy feel that private communications between him and his bishop needed to be made public? Guilt? Not-so-righteous indignation of being forbidden to receive communion? Only he can answer that.
No one except God and Patrick Kennedy can know his soul, but neither can he expect to be in full communion with the Church when he has continually voted in favor of pro-abortion issues.
The best thing for us on the sidelines is to pray for him and all other "cafeteria" Catholics who pick and choose which part of the Church’s teachings they will follow and which they will deny.
To this writer, it’s a no-brainer. If you don’t agree with the teachings of the Church, don’t be Catholic. Otherwise, embrace the faith and all it has for those who faithfully follow its teachings.
Playing Catholic just isn't cool. Being Catholic and living a life that follows Christ's teachings is cool. The latter certainly is more fulfilling.
Rhode Island's news report at Kennedy's parish
"There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church" - Bishop Fulton Sheen
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Comments
All too few - of the MANY - construe the fabled old testament utterance of their Lord to "go forth and multiply" as anything but a Roman/Catholic encouragement to breed more subjects/taxpayers/"tithers"- to the comfort and gain of the string-pullers in Rome.
Nowhere did Christ address the topic of population profligacy.
And the organization which pretends to be "his"-"church" is presently lacking in adherents.
Jim; it has nothing to do with ANY 'utterance' .. it has to do with the fact that God ALONE is the Author of life and death. It has to do with the fact that the moment conception occurs, there's a PERSON there, not a glob of tissue. The Holy Trinity Father, Son and Holy Ghost is accepted by all Christians .. why is it so hard to believe and accept that the Church that Jesus began is founded on the same principle? Scripture, T/tradition and Church Magisterium .. 2 of the 3 of either Group are always with the ONE. No one can deny the only christianity before Luther broke away was the UNIVERSAL (Catholic/One) Church in which Peter held the keys given by Jesus Himself. Faith alone is not supported in the bible as you are aware from the book of James, I'm sure. Any true christian doesn't have to call names or be sarcastic with their "objective" comments. Be well.
I'm glad to see this Pam! I applaud Bishops that take affirmative action in this manner. In all the commentary I've read on this topic of Kennedy, you are the only one that even hinted at the fact that what was said to him was NOT said for a PUNISHMENT, but to save his soul from GRAVE SIN. The Bishop has an obligation to 'get in yer face' if you're being blatantly ignorant as a public figure and trying to justify your actions .. can we say PRIDE??? I for one and very grateful the Bishop (who intended to keep this private initially) did take a stand and I'm praying that many more will follow him at LEAST with the SEVERAL PUBLIC "CATHOLIC" figures that speak so PROMINENTLY as if they know more than our Glorious God Himself.
Matthew 18:15-17 clearly states that first you have a person approach the other, second bring two witnesses with evidence, and then and only then can the church act.
Not following scripture is also a grave sin. As is not following the intent of the "church discipline" section of Matthew. The intent was to bring someone back, not to kick someone out.
The sad part is if this were excommunication not refusal of communion the Bishop would be clearly wrong.
Also according to the canon law you need to be without sin to make such an accusation. Bishop Tobin has ignored the teachings of Guadium et Spes and taught the opposite.
If Bishop Tobin actually cares for Patrick Kennedy the good Bishop will refuse communion to him self for his abuse of the rite, and for not teaching valid Roman Catholic Doctrine.
No one is forced to become,or remain a Catholic if you became one at birth. To be a Catholic you are obliged to observe and obey faithfully all the 10 Commandments and the Teachings of the Church on Faith and Morals. If you feel there are some you don't want to follow, just walk away and join another Church which believes in what you are objecting to in the Catholic Church. Kennedy remains outside the Catholic Church and cannot receive the Holy Communion
NEVER say never! I used to be Pro-Life. A "born again" Christian touting my bible and blasting anyone who dared consider an abortion. Spewing how I would NEVER get an abortion! God has a way of "hearing" your "NEVER" claims and bringS to your doorstep that which you claim you "never" could do and puts you in a position where you have no choice but to do that which you said you would "never" do - putting you in another's shoes via your own. Then, He looks you in the eye and says, "My child, you said you would "never". Now you will judge yourself." Meaning JUDGE NOT because you don't know what's going on in another's life. As far as the aborting a baby claim. I beat myself up for years until a chance meeting with a medium. She knew about my "baby boy" that was taken before birth. She said, "He is here with you, he loves you deeply but can't move on with his own evolution because you have BOUND his soul to you through your own unforgiveness. We should all THINK before we JUDGE!
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