There have been preludes to this fracas between the Roman Catholic bishop of Providence, Thomas Tobin, and Representative Patrick Kennedy, Teddy's son and the last of the dynasty in public life. It is, of course, a fracas about abortion and the view of the church that Kennedy's (what shall I say?) insufficient opposition to it in public law excludes him from the rites of the faith, especially communion.
Now, the church in this case means the particular bishopric in which Kennedy usually worships. Another bishop elsewhere might not--and most bishops do not--push the matter as far as this. But the Catholic hierarchy in the United States is now enmeshed in a grand mobilization to keep abortion out of the health care legislation. Still, not many diocese have gone as far as Tobin's.
It is almost impossible to conceive of this excision of Kennedy from the community happening in, for example, Massachusetts. Would the archdiocese of Boston have prevented Senator Kennedy from communion or, worse yet, last rites? You can bet it wouldn't.
But, since in America, religion is a matter between individuals and their God the Providence diocese is fully within its rights. This does raise, however, a social issue for all of us. Should the Church, to which most of us have no ties, be able to discipline in whatever way the diocese can those who are "disobedient" to it?
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Despite its claims to small-c catholic universality, the Roman Catholic Church is not the only limb of the Body of Christ with which a Christian might be in communion. We should be no more afraid of the Catholic Church disciplining its members than we should fear the Rotary Club disciplining its members.
The only thing in question should be the judgment of a person who would be so disciplined by an organization of which he is a member who sticks around. This would seem to be a fundamental and unbridgeable disagreement. The Church says "we don't want you as a member if you believe or do X," Kennedy believes he must believe and do X, and so Kennedy really ought to leave the Church. Most Luther ... view full comment
Despite its claims to small-c catholic universality, the Roman Catholic Church is not the only limb of the Body of Christ with which a Christian might be in communion. We should be no more afraid of the Catholic Church disciplining its members than we should fear the Rotary Club disciplining its members.
The only thing in question should be the judgment of a person who would be so disciplined by an organization of which he is a member who sticks around. This would seem to be a fundamental and unbridgeable disagreement. The Church says "we don't want you as a member if you believe or do X," Kennedy believes he must believe and do X, and so Kennedy really ought to leave the Church. Most Lutheran and Episcopal congregations welcome Catholics to communion and worship in a liturgical style familiar to a Catholic. Kennedy can and should find a welcoming home that will not attempt to punish him for doing what he sees to be his public duty.
"Should the Church, to which most of us have no ties" Yeesh, 1 out of 6 Americans are Catholic and are spread all throughout America so it would be pretty damn difficult not to have ties with Catholics, and through them and the influence the Church has on them. This Bishop has overstepped his bounds, Patrick Kennedy has not had an abortion himself, nor has he ever advocated women to have abortions, he has only ever advocated women having the right to choose themselves. I believe gambling is a sin, and I don't gamble, but is believing in the right of others to gamble (and sin) a disqualification for membership? Unless the Catholic church is advocating the revocation of free will, I think not.
... view full comment
"Should the Church, to which most of us have no ties" Yeesh, 1 out of 6 Americans are Catholic and are spread all throughout America so it would be pretty damn difficult not to have ties with Catholics, and through them and the influence the Church has on them. This Bishop has overstepped his bounds, Patrick Kennedy has not had an abortion himself, nor has he ever advocated women to have abortions, he has only ever advocated women having the right to choose themselves. I believe gambling is a sin, and I don't gamble, but is believing in the right of others to gamble (and sin) a disqualification for membership? Unless the Catholic church is advocating the revocation of free will, I think not.
Rhubarbs, you have no idea what is in the soul of Kennedy and it is presumptuous of you to frame it in the way you did, that he ought to leave the church.
If Patrick Kennedy advocated for women to have abortions, performed them, paid for them, etc. then your argument could hold, but otherwise it certainly doesn't. Beyond that, the Bishop is only denying communion, not excommunicating Kennedy, and as I said, he is beyond his bounds to do so. The Bishop could have no possible idea of what has transpired between Kennedy and his confessor and it is egregious of him to assume he does.