.jpg "Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island")
His late Dad may have made a peace of sorts with his beloved Catholic Church by admitting to Pope Benedict XVI that "I am not a perfect man," but Sen. Edward Kennedy's youngest son is beating the war drums.
The Lion of the Senate passed away peacefully just two months ago, but it didn't even take that long for Congressman Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island to take on the Church — in particular, Rhode Island Bishop Thomas Tobin. The issue? President Obama's sweeping health care plans, of which the junior Kennedy is a very strong supporter, even if it includes public funding for abortion services.
Needless to say, the Church is not on board with that clause, and the rhetoric is now red-hot.
Tobin fired a broadside at Kennedy late this week for what he termed the Congressman's incendiary remarks in an interview about abortion. Kennedy told the Catholic News Service he found it odd that that the Church would oppose Obama's health insurance plan.
"I can’t understand for the life of me how the Catholic Church could be against the biggest social justice issue of our time, where the very dignity of the human person is being respected by the fact that we’re caring and giving health care to the human person — that right now we have 50 million people who are uninsured," Kennedy said.
"You mean to tell me the Catholic Church is going to be denying those people life-saving health care? I thought they were prolife? If the church is prolife, then they ought to be for health care reform, because it’s going to provide health care that are going to keep people alive.
“So this is an absolute red herring, and I don't think that it does anything but to fan the flames of dissent and discord, and I don’t think it’s productive at all."
Although Tobin, like the Church, supports a universal health care plan, he believes it must outlaw the use of public money for abortions.
Tobin previously told the Rhode Island congressional delegation that he could not support any health care plan "that diminishes human dignity or threatens the right to life."
But on Friday the cardinal took no prisoners, saying that Kennedy’s comments were "irresponsible and ignorant of the facts."
"Congressman Kennedy continues to be a disappointment to the Catholic Church and to the citizens of the state of Rhode Island," the bishop said. "I believe the congressman owes us an apology for his irresponsible comments. It is my fervent hope and prayer that he will find a way to provide morally responsible leadership for our state.’"
The volley was the latest joust between the Catholic Church and the Kennedys. Ted Kennedy came under constant attack for his stand on issues that countered Catholic beliefs, such as abortion rights.
The differences seemed to be mended at the Senator’s funeral, when it was revealed that Pope Benedict XVI bestowed an "apostolic blessing" on the elder Kennedy.
13 Comments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.murphy66 | Apr 04, 2010, 04:18 PM EDT
Cave a prelato sicut a peccato. Flee from a bishop as you would from sin.
Haole3000 | Feb 14, 2010, 05:38 AM EST
His dad has been sober for months, there is hope for the Kennedys.
JosephOCasey | Feb 08, 2010, 08:04 PM EST
Laurie, what are you talking about? Who are these people dying for lack of affordable health care? Can you name one? Most of the people who don't have health care coverage in the US don't have it by their own choice or are illegal immigrants. Urgent care is never denied anyone in the US. Don't ask me to pay for every Tom, Dick, and Harry to have a doctor visit for the sniffles or to get a prescription for Viagra.
Laurie Katafiasz | Feb 08, 2010, 09:24 AM EST
To deny millions of people medical care because of one small issue in a bill is murder. Far more people seem to be dieing due to lack of afordable medical care than abortion. What about these lost lives? Thank-you Mr. Kennedy for standing up for those in need.
JosephOCasey | Feb 07, 2010, 12:23 AM EST
Kudos to a Godly man. Bishop Tobin, my hat is off to you. Taking my tax money and using it to kill innocent defenseless babies is an abomination. Thank you for standing up for what is right.
Christisall | Jan 08, 2010, 07:32 PM EST
You simply cannot be a Catholic if you support the murder of the innocent. End of story. It goes against God's law.To hell with man's law.
Christisall | Jan 08, 2010, 07:30 PM EST
Kennedy is a major embarrassment; what a loser. He really needs to become a protestant because he surely is not a Catholic.
liseuxx | Nov 27, 2009, 09:41 PM EST
Kennedy's conscience needs to be formed, and not according to the "drivel" in modern American culture. If he claims to be a Catholic in good standing and then continues to support the killing of innocent children in the womb, Bishop Tobin was right on in telling him 3 years ago he should not present himself for Communion. Kennedy should have the integrity to take responsibility for his actions and cease and desist on receiving Communion.
kickstar | Nov 23, 2009, 09:45 PM EST
I notice a lot of Mexicans use the name Jesus as a first name now my question is do we have to nod our heads when we call these people by name and bump our chests like Romans when we hear their names called or do we just genuflect in their presence and get on with it. Now also would it not have been simpler to have banned the use of the name by the Spanish or else not have taught us such Drivel in school.
kickstar | Nov 23, 2009, 09:06 PM EST
Many years ago in Ireland the Catholic Church opposed free dental health for mothers and pregnant woman and now they are up to their old tricks again
garrettb | Nov 23, 2009, 01:34 PM EST
I believe the bishop overstepped the bounds. Kennedy's conscience is the measure. He is acting on the health bill as representing his constituents and the people at large, not the Church.
IrishProud | Nov 23, 2009, 09:04 AM EST
This is a tough one. He has a right to his views and so does the Catholic Church. Is one still considered Catholic if he doesn't believe in all of the teachings of the church? I think Kennedy needs to find a different church. He's not going to change the church and the the church is not going to change him.
mscolleen2003 | Nov 23, 2009, 05:19 AM EST
Leave it to a kennedy to use any device necessay to get his own way. Mr. Kennedy, I hope the Catholic Church bans you from ever walking though the doors again. To defense the slaughter of the innoocent, is wrong...