Patrick Kennedy, the congressman from Rhode Island, wrote, “The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.”
And Thomas J. Tobin, the bishop of Providence, replies:
Well, in fact, Congressman, in a way it does. Although I wouldn’t choose those particular words, when someone rejects the teachings of the Church, especially on a grave matter, a life-and-death issue like abortion, it certainly does diminish their ecclesial communion, their unity with the Church. This principle is based on the Sacred Scripture and Tradition of the Church and is made more explicit in recent documents. . . . [I]f you don’t accept the teachings of the Church your communion with the Church is flawed, or in your own words, makes you “less of a Catholic.”
It’s an extraordinary letter from the bishop, almost casual in tone but sharp in conclusion:
What does it mean, really, to be a Catholic? After all, being a Catholic has to mean something, right?
Well, in simple terms—and here I refer only to those more visible, structural elements of Church membership—being a Catholic means that you’re part of a faith community that possesses a clearly defined authority and doctrine, obligations and expectations. It means that you believe and accept the teachings of the Church, especially on essential matters of faith and morals; that you belong to a local Catholic community, a parish; that you attend Mass on Sundays and receive the sacraments regularly; that you support the Church, personally, publicly, spiritually and financially.
Congressman, I’m not sure whether or not you fulfill the basic requirements of being a Catholic, so let me ask: Do you accept the teachings of the Church on essential matters of faith and morals, including our stance on abortion? Do you belong to a local Catholic community, a parish? Do you attend Mass on Sundays and receive the sacraments regularly? Do you support the Church, personally, publicly, spiritually and financially?
In your letter you say that you “embrace your faith.” Terrific. But if you don’t fulfill the basic requirements of membership, what is it exactly that makes you a Catholic? Your baptism as an infant? Your family ties? Your cultural heritage?Your letter also says that your faith “acknowledges the existence of an imperfect humanity.” Absolutely true. But in confronting your rejection of the Church’s teaching, we’re not dealing just with “an imperfect humanity”—as we do when we wrestle with sins such as anger, pride, greed, impurity or dishonesty. We all struggle with those things, and often fail.
Your rejection of the Church’s teaching on abortion falls into a different category—it’s a deliberate and obstinate act of the will; a conscious decision that you’ve re-affirmed on many occasions. Sorry, you can’t chalk it up to an “imperfect humanity.” Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members. It absolutely diminishes your communion with the Church.
The position here—that this is not something the Church is doing to Patrick Kennedy but something Patrick Kennedy has done to himself—marks the Church’s position on most excommunications, although, it’s worth noting, the bishop doesn’t actually use the word. He concludes:
Congressman Kennedy, I write these words not to embarrass you or to judge the state of your conscience or soul. That’s ultimately between you and God. But your description of your relationship with the Church is now a matter of public record, and it needs to be challenged. I invite you, as your bishop and brother in Christ, to enter into a sincere process of discernment, conversion and repentance. It’s not too late for you to repair your relationship with the Church, redeem your public image, and emerge as an authentic “profile in courage,” especially by defending the sanctity of human life for all people, including unborn children. And if I can ever be of assistance as you travel the road of faith, I would be honored and happy to do so.
Sincerely yours,
Thomas J. Tobin
Bishop of Providence
November 11th, 2009 | 5:08 pm
Boston Irish are long gone, and Mr. Kennedy has a different constituency to pander.
With the death of God, most Americans nowadays, ostensibly Christian, worship some thing else. One has to admire Judeo-Romanism’s attempt to worship the ancient God of Israel in the forms and style of the ancient Romans,for remembering who they are and refusing theological concessions to Modernity. If Mr Kennedy is going to defend the values of contemporary paganism, he should have at least the courtesy to hand back his crucifix. Happy Al Smith, who lived in the time when Catholics were distinguished only by their beliefs, and not their morals. But as his market has changed so must his product.
November 11th, 2009 | 5:45 pm
Friendly, but also ice cold.
One thing that seems to [happily] distinguish Catholicism from other Christian denominations is that there is, in fact, one specific code that you must adhere to in order to be Catholic.
In addition, it is possible to objectively compare where you specifically stand against what that code specifically says. There is are people other than yourself to make that measurement, as well as inform you of where you do not measure up.
November 11th, 2009 | 7:29 pm
[...] prompted Tobin to address this sentiment in his latest letter (H/T First Thoughts). The whole thing is well worth the read and hopefully will prompt other bishops to address similar [...]
November 11th, 2009 | 7:43 pm
Martha Coakley, a supposed Catholic, running for Ted Kennedy’s former Senate seat, stated this week that she opposed the House health-care bill, as the Stupak amendment denied federal funds for abortion.
So far, Cardinal O’Malley has had nothing to say about this. He would be wise to follow Bishop Tobin’s lead, though it seems that an unwritten rule is that the Archbishop of Boston remains silent regarding the position of Boston Democratic pols on the issues of abortion and marriage.
November 11th, 2009 | 8:32 pm
I think the canonist Ed Peters’ reflections are apropos here:
http://www.canonlaw.info/2008/11/canonical-options-for-dealing-with.html
Peters lists four possibilities within canon law for dealing with pro-choice politicians: deny them communion, excommunicate them, create a special law through the USCCB, or encourage them not to present themselves for communion until they’ve gone to confession.
It looks as though Bishop Tobin is only doing the last, for now, but he is clearly laying groundwork for the first or second.
November 11th, 2009 | 9:19 pm
Kennedy started this by criticizing the Church for opposing a new healthcare plan if it included abortion coverage, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/us/politics/12kennedy.html
Tobin simply responded, and it escalated from there.
By contrast, Sen. Jack Reed, another pro-choice Catholic Democrat in Rhode Island, has artfully avoided getting to fights with the Church, see http://www.projo.com/news/content/BISHOP_CONGRESS_11-04-09_L6GB492_v13.3b3dee0.html
November 12th, 2009 | 1:19 am
It might be worth noting that the word “Excommunication” was not used, but the Bishop’s letter told Kennedy that he was excommunicated—his own positions have diminished his communion with God.
This was a fantastic letter. The shepherd has guarded the sheep, and taught them the love the shepherd has for them. And the shepherd properly teaches the sheep to recognize a wolf. The wolf can still repent, however. I pray that he will.
November 12th, 2009 | 9:41 am
It is very refreshing to observe a Bishop doing the work of a Bishop!
November 12th, 2009 | 9:55 am
It shouldn’t need to be stressed, but sadly it seems that it does. By that I mean the fact that being a Catholic is a voluntary thing, nobody is forced to be one. The Church doesn’t change for you, you change for the Church. It amazes me how that simple little fact is so often ignored. I’m proud my bishop is speaking out like this, and I pray for him daily that he continue to lead is such a strong and positive way.
November 12th, 2009 | 10:29 am
Terrific.
November 24th, 2009 | 12:22 am
[...] in good standing and thus eligible to receive the Eucharist. It culminated on November 12 in the open letter from Tobin, in which he took up Kennedy’s line, “The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some [...]
November 29th, 2009 | 10:59 am
[...] Being a Catholic Has to Mean Something | A First Things Blog. [...]
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