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Muck tracker - Kennedy forbidden to take communion

By Muckety

November 22, 2009 at 12:00pm

U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy has told the Providence Journal that Bishop Thomas Tobin has banned him from receiving holy communion because of his stance on abortion rights.

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8 Comments

  • #1.   Larry Linn 11.22.2009

    The Roman Catholic Church has no problem with pedephile priests giving Communion. What hypocrites.

  • #2.   Evan Smith 11.22.2009

    There’s no such thing as separation of church and state. Unbelievable. The church is asserting its religious power to influence the healthcare debate - I find this unacceptable and the church should be fined.

  • #3.   WTT 11.22.2009

    This has nothing to do with Church and State separation.
    As is any citizen, Kennedy is free to hold any opinion that he desires to hold. He is bound by nothing more than his own desire to be a member of a specific religious community. However, he has chosen, by an act of his own free will, to be a member of a religious group which requires that, as a precondition in participation of one of its holy sacraments, its members do not espouse positions which challenge those of the Church. He is free to remain a member, but when he is in flagrant violation of a clear Church rule, then it is entirely appropriate for Church leadership to point this out, to explain its position, and to ask him to correct his actions. Remember this: The notion of separation of Church and State works both ways. The State risks violating the fundamental constitutional right to free speech, if it attempts to dictate policy to any religious community. At the very least, Kennedy should probably reexamine his commitment to his faith. If Kennedy is determined to continue giving offense by his reception of communion, then perhaps the Church should consider excommunication.

  • #4.   Rick 11.22.2009

    The fact that the Rhode Island bishop is using holy communion as a “politixal weapon” against Kennedy is disgusting.
    One has to wonder if Catholic bishops even know what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

  • #5.   biffr Michael Appia 11.22.2009

    google: Canada - native - holocaust.

  • #6.   Kerry Berger 11.22.2009

    I find it extremely disturbing to read that the Catholic Church is taking such an activist role in imposing its dogma on others by threatening Catholic politicians. We live in a secular world and politicians must represent the interests of ALL their constituents, not simply dogmatic and divisive issues that are part of the law of the land. Separation of Church and State has made it possible for our nation to become a melting pot. We cannot allow this clear line to be blurred by these activist conservative and fundamentalist religious people, who do NOT represent a majority of Americans. If the Bishop continues to behave in this manner, then it is time to pull the plug on the tax free status for the Roman Catholic Church in this nation, and the Bishop should be brought up on charges of violating the Constitution of the United States. This is a totally shameless act on the Bishop’s part, and he must cease and desist.

  • #7.   James Becker 11.22.2009

    This isn’t a sudden development; Congressman Kennedy has merely revealed publicly some aspects of a private conversation he has been having with Bishop Tobin for some time. Congressman Kennedy was actually ‘forbidden’ from taking communion, at least in Rhode Island, back in early 2007. (Which is well before the current health care debate began.)

    This link:

    http://the-american-catholic.com/2009/11/22/patrick-kennedy-barred-from-communion/

    has Bishops Tobin’s response to today’s news. In part:
    On February 21, 2007, I wrote to Congressman Kennedy stating: “In light of the Church’s clear teaching, and your consistent actions, therefore, I believe it is inappropriate for you to be receiving Holy Communion and I now ask respectfully that you refrain from doing so.”
    Also from that link:
    “If a Catholic in his or her personal or professional life were knowingly and obstinately to repudiate her definite teachings on moral issues, he or she would seriously diminish his or her communion with the Church. Reception of Holy Communion in such a situation would not accord with the nature of the Eucharistic celebration, so that he or she should refrain.”

  • #8.   John Lofton 11.23.2009

    Right on!, Bishop Tobin! (though as a Reformed Protestant Calvinist I do NOT believe in “Bishops.)

    John Lofton, Editor, TheAmericanView.com
    Recovering Republican
    JLof@aol.com

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