To be honest with you...the Bishop should be worrying about all the Priests truned Child Molesters rather than worrying about what Mr. Guiliani is doing or saying. My opinion of the Bishop is not so nice......The money spent on turning his home into a palace.....under the diocese wathcful eye shows me that he is doing what all people do when they get into this sort of position......TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE.........Maybe hs should polish up on his personal character rather than bashing someone else's...

You know what they say about people living in stained glass houses.

The issue of abortion to me is quite simple, either you are for killing babies or you're not. How anyone could vote for anyone who is pro abortion (baby killing), is beyond belief. I believe the bishop has a right and an obligation to speak out on this issue as should anyone of any faith who believes we are all God's creatures. And yet, RI and many other states that vote Democratic (the pro abortion party), are also largely Christian (Catholic in RI). How does one be a pro baby killer and yet religiously go to their house of worship! Explain that please.

I can not disagree more. The pedophilia / child molester / Catholic priest scandal is a strawman of the highest order. Are all Catholic authorities forever silenced because of the past bad acts of immoral, irresponsible, and criminally negligent priests? When do you draw the line? How does that in any way relate to supporting the Church's position against the abortion of unborn babies.

Bishop Tobin's remarks are essentially the Catholic churches position (and by publically proclaiming that position, he is doing his job as a church leader), and I applaud him for putting the position out there (although it should be well known). I do not know whether he expected his comments to go National, but that is beside the point. The separation of church and state concept has been confused and butchered for years and our current society may be the most culpable of all. Politicians seem to think they can blindly use that phrase to excuse their waffling and blatantly confused position on abortion. Could you imagine a politician say that while he is personally against lynching and segretation he would not fight against laws that supported such acts? No, because it would not make sense. There is no difference here, if in fact their personal beliefs are as they claim.

The notion of Church and State separation was never intended to keep politicians from acting on and representing the populus based on a specific faith tradition and belief system. Original intent flies in the face of such an argument.

The only thing I would criticize is the lack of Catholic Bishops (on the whole) taking the same strong stance against the war. Such massive killing has not been deemed a "Just War" by the Church and therefore it should be condemned. The violence of abortion and war and the church's response is rooted in similar ideological foundations, and each should receive the same treatment from the good Bishop. Maybe he is waiting for Bush to invite him to a fundraiser before he sends out his next critique... I hope.

Horray for the Bishop! I am a Republican and Catholic and am very distressed that BOTH parties may have proabortion rights candidates at the top. The Dems would no more countenance a prolife candidate (remember Bob Casey from Pa?) than the Republican's should a proabortion rights candidate. The Bishop is exercising moral leadership and is right. No Catholic should be turning a blind eye to the abortion agenda.

Bravo, Bishop Tobin!

It should be clear to anyone who has read the Catechism of the Catholic Church that you cannot be Catholic and "pro-choice."
Please continue to carry this message. May God continue to bless and keep you!

Bishop Tobin is a moron.

It is gratifying for those of us who take our Catholic Faith seriously to hear our new Bishop speaking out on the abortion issue. Although Rhode Island is overwhelmingly made up of those who claim to be Roman Catholics, it is clear that many of them are truly " Cafeteria Catholics" who believe they can pick and choose which tenets of the Faith they will follow.
Clearly Patrick Kennedy , Jack Reed and Rudy Guiliani are not in line with the teachings of the Church and those who vote for them are doing a great disservice to the unborn whose abortions these politicians condone.

The Bishop should condem all of the priests in his diocese that have sexually abused children. The diocese still pays many of them a salary.

GOOD FOR BISHOP TOBIN

Good job, Bishop Tobin. I admire your strong adherence to our faith, and more importantly, to protecting life. How cowardly are our public officials when they proclaim that they are 'personally' against abortion yet publically lend support?

Thank you, Bishop, for standing up for your beliefs and proclaiming the faith. Too many public figures, priests and politicians included, never take a stand, especially at a time in the world where people - especially families - desperately want strong and moral leadership.

Good job Bishop Tobin! A bishop must teach the truth even when its not popular. Abortion is murder and Rudy is a hypocrite who says he opposes it but won't stop it! As for Jim, he must be a mental midget who hates Catholics. Jim, get a life! Rudy get a moral backbone! Tobin keep it up!!!

THANK YOU, BISHOP TOBIN.

(Of course the haters and small minds are going to try to silence our church leaders and clergy with the molester line, and there's a new line now about you having a residence, which most of your flock support fully, and wonder about those who dwell negatively on that.)

I went to LaSalle with Jack Reed, and find it pathetic that he was a West Point man, but too weak to stand up for life. Patrick, well, what can one say, he needs prayers more than votes.

I guess we also need to reflect on all the Catholics employed in the abortion industry, who don't seem to give it a second thought.

Cardinal Law's finest moment, in my opinion, was during his homily at Cardinal O'Connor's funeral. He reminded those gathered about the Cardinal's pro-life efforts, and the cathedral erupted in a long standing ovation. Also standing were the president and first lady, Mayor Giuliani, Gov and Mrs. Pitaki, and others. The camera focused on this bunch of squirming "leaders" who seemed ready to dive under the pews. Giuliani, and the Pitakis are Catholics. Keep it up please Bishop. It's been a long time coming, and it is VERY refreshing. Thanks.

Hmmm - pro life in the Bishop's stance equates to have the children, raise them to a tender age then serve them up for some molester priest or other church leader to con and molest. All the better to eat you my dear! Perhaps me thinks the wise Bishop should look hence over his shoulder at the sack of nasty and horrific treats the Catholic church brings to so many of the children they will into this world - or perhaps they could just once clean their own house , stop paying 80% salary stipends to fallen evil priests and spend some of their time faith healing and pondering the conundrum on why some children are coming into the world unwanted - ask themselves please - what would Jesus do and I can fervently tell you its not their current path!

Bishop Tobin,

Perhaps when you meet with Mr. Giuliani you could also discuss other issues such as the environment, poverty, health care, the War in Iraq, the genocide in Darfur. It's time the church started to practice what they preach and focus on issues other than just abortion. Or maybe Mr. Tobin just limits his opinions on one issue.

the problem here is there is now no separation of church and state, in this case the catholic church should start paying taxes since they feel the need to be involved in a political debate of which they should not and can not. Furthermore the problem of sex crimes by priests are far from gone and the churches (globally) are continuing to hide the evil truth, so that issue is not at reat and in particular when church officals are not punished and sentenced by a court of law, they are sick, demented, evil people that the curch tolerates within its organization. Forget the abortion debate here because an entity that doesnt pay taxes and has its own internal issues as serious as the catholic church should probably work out their issues first, nice house Tobin. If it is truth people want then Tobin and the church have a long way to go. If you dont like the truth then dont ask for it. Oh and I am catholic also, but I know when lines have been crossed and I live in reality.

You must remember Bishop Tobin, that politicians represent the people and not their views. I cna't understand why most of the christians are agains abortion which is killing a baby and why they aren't against war, this is also killing of a human. The commandement says THOUG SHALL NOT KILL.
then why than doesn't the churches condemn this war or any war at that. My humble prayers to all who read this. Pauline

John Paul II refered to a spring time of a new evangelization, If this is the beginning we are all in for a treat! Kudos to Bishop Tobin- I will be praying that more priests, bishops and lay people come out and have the moral courage to stand up for the truth....An proclaim it loudly from the rooftops!! We are waiting!!!!

Bishop Tobin is right on the mark. Catholic politicians ought to live with they believe and courageously speak out for thier principles. It may cost them votes and popularity but it is a testimony to their character and most will respect that. Equally important is a clear cry againt war and capital punishment. If this is such a Catholic state then the electorate will be supportive of these positions.

The separation of church and state is a principle designed to avoid the mistakes of Europe. If the Pope can tell a politician what to do, we might as well be ruled from Vatican City.

America is based on diversity -- our civic needs are the business of government. Religious beliefs are personal choices, and they're just beliefs, with no proof any of them are true. Should a Mormon president institute polygamy?

If the Pope decides the "right to life" means we must abolish capital punishment, must Catholic politicians then follow his orders and ban it?

Do you really want to live in a crazy country where you're voting for different laws depending on what religion the president is, and whose tune he has to dance to?

When oh when are we going to separate church from state like we are supposed to? The abortion issue is an issue that should NOT be ruled by religion - it is a personal choice and many times a medically-driven choice. I would like to know what the Catholic church plans to do about all the children that women will be forced to bear (that may not be wanted) that we, the citizens, will be forced to support. We are supporting enough people on the welfare system now - let's not add more. And what about an instance where the pregnancy is the result of an assault (I personally know of one that happened to a 12 year old girl in MA years ago and she was forced to have the child because she lived in a Catholic-run orphanage when she was raped) - who is going to pay for the counseling for the mother and child when all is said and done - not the church, that is for sure.

Pauline Frazer writes below.... my reply to her,

Pauline if you can't spell then you shouldn't write about what you apparently know nothing about. "The Truth regarding murder of the innocent." This bishop has had the courage to take a stand that goes against the politically accepted notions of the day. Kudos and gratias to him for being so brave!!!

You must remember Bishop Tobin, that politicians represent the people and not their views. I cna't understand why most of the christians are agains abortion which is killing a baby and why they aren't against war, this is also killing of a human. The commandement says THOUG SHALL NOT KILL.
then why than doesn't the churches condemn this war or any war at that. My humble prayers to all who read this. Pauline

Posted by: Pauline Frazer at June 5, 2007 09:49 PM