Bishop Tobin won’t attend inauguration of pro-choice governor
by Carder
Over the weekend I did receive a formal written invitation to the Inauguration, the courtesy of which I appreciated.
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.
~ Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin explaining why he would not attend the inauguration of newly-elected pro-choice governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo, Providence Journal, January 5
Jan.07, 2015 6:00 am |
Political anti-life bias, The Church |
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Polite and gentle, yet firm and direct. Thank you, Bishop Tobin!
This is the way that Church officials need to deal with government officials, even as our bishops and priests are fined and jailed and persecuted.
I know there are some who demand public condemnations and excommunications, but that does not win hearts.
Using educational moments. Always a good thing.
Looking back on my own life I wish there were more moments when someone who liked, if not loved me, had the knowledge and used it to educate me. They could have even been nasty about it if I learned and escaped the danger and hardships of being stupid. (Thinking of St. Paul being knocked off of his ass onto his backside.) Lack of Knowledge, Lack of Understanding, and Lack of Good Counsel … Good Lord please send the Holy Spirit with a deeper infilling of His Gifts and Graces.
even as our bishops and priests are fined and jailed and persecuted.
What acts have bishops and priests in the US been fined or jailed for, other than ones pertaining to the sexual abuse of minors?
Mass instead of the inauguration seems like a good use of time. Surely incoming Gov. Raimondo won’t begrudge him that choice.
Churches shouldn’t be involved in political inaugurations anyway.
‘promotes’ abortion? Which politician ‘promotes’ abortion? In what way?
The Church did not receive an invitation to the inauguration; Bishop Tobin (an individual) did.
Promotion of abortion through ease of access, financial remuneration, passage of favorable legislation, letting substandard facilities and abortionists flourish, etc.
Kathleen Sebelius was quite cozy with George Tiller.
ease of access, financial remuneration, passage of favorable legislation, letting substandard facilities and abortionists flourish, etc. – which of these has Governor Gina done and how?
Lisa – Check out http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=6897
“Auxiliary Bishop Austin B. Vaughan … was arrested at an upper East Side Manhattan abortion clinic in May 1988. He went on to be arrested at least eight other times in Dobbs Ferry, Albany, Amherst, N.Y., Pennsylvania and Texas, as well as the Netherlands and Belgium. He served prison sentences of up to 10 days for the actions.
Speaking at an Operation Rescue rally, the bishop explained that his episcopal ring had the images of Jesus, St. Peter and St. Paul on it and that all three were arrested, put in jail and killed for their witness to the truth. “He said the least he could do is try to follow in their footsteps in saving the precious babies,”
Bishops and priests are currently threatened with fines for refusing to buy birth control for Church employees. Penalties for failing to perform gay-weddings and renting our facilities for their parties are also looming.
But Lisa’s point is mostly valid: The legal persecution of Catholicism has not quite yet started up again. But a lot of people want it, and Catholics are preparing for it.
While Bishop Tobin was not in attendance at Gov. Raimondo’s inauguration, her parish priest was conspicuously present. Moreover, she began the day by attending Mass at her local Catholic church. (Guess if Tobin does any excommunicating, he should include Raimondo’s priest.) Funny, Tobin has his cassock in a bunch because Raimondo supports the “grave moral evil” of abortion. Meanwhile he doesn’t say a word when his fellow “pro-life” Republicans slash the social safety net for those who have passed the birth canal. He was not present at yesterday’s State House vigil which addressed poverty in RI. Faith leaders from other faiths, as well as the governor, were there. Obviously, for Bishop Tobin, life ends at birth!!!!
Observer — You would not be happy, no matter who went anywhere or who stayed home. You know what you hate, and you’re gonna hate it.
We haven’t seen any Republicans “slash the safety net” for our children. We are skeptical of people who participate in fear-mongering of this sort.
Catholics encourage our members to attend Mass regularly, even those who are excommunicated for some private behaviors. We are glad that Gov. Raimondo chose to start her inauguration day with worship. And we are glad that her priest attended the inauguration.
While Bishop Tobin appreciated the invitation and politely boycotted the party to avoid the scandal of appearing to support abortion, her priest accepted the invitation while politely reminding the crowd by his presence that there is an elephant in the room. This is the way to win both sides of a no-win situation.
The “vigil for poverty” is not something we have heard of, since most of us do not live near Rhode Island. Sometimes these things are not actually good for the causes they appear to serve. Was Planned Parenthood there? — Then it is not an event we should support, even as we work very hard toward serving people who are poor.
Penalties for failing to perform gay-weddings and renting our facilities for their parties are also looming. – that simply is not true. Why do you say such stuff.
I’m not Catholic, but GOOD FOR HIM! I’d love to see all who profess belief in Christ Jesus take such a stand.
The legal persecution of Catholicism has not quite yet started up again. But a lot of people want it, and Catholics are preparing for it.
This is true for all who profess belief in Christ Jesus. A number of Christian organizations are monitoring such things.
The legal persecution of Catholicism has not quite yet started up again. But a lot of people want it, and Catholics are preparing for it. – who wants it? Why? Where? How? “Monitoring” what exactly?