U.S. Rep. Kennedy responds to Bishop Tobin’s invitation for dialogue

The congressman and Bishop Tobin are scheduled to meet Thursday afternoon at a location as yet to be determined at press time.

Michael Guilfoyle, diocesan director of Communications said Thursday that Bishop Tobin is eager to meet with the congressman to dialogue about the Church’s view concerning this important issue.

“Bishop Tobin looks forward to meeting with Congressman Kennedy in the very near future to discuss the Church's support of health care reform that does not provide taxpayer funding for abortions,” Guilfoyle said.

In his October 29 letter to Bishop Tobin, Congressman Kennedy expressed that his comments presented in a recent Cybercast News Service interview were never intended to disrespect the Catholic Church.

Congressman Kennedy told Cybercast News Service on Thursday, Oct. 22, that he did not understand the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s vigorous opposition to a final health care bill that would require the use of taxpayer money for abortions.

“For many years, the Catholic Church has been clear and consistent in its support of comprehensive health care reform; support that continues to this day. As Congress nears agreement on a final bill, I believe it is important that you are provided with specific facts about the Catholic Church’s position on this critical issue,” Bishop Tobin wrote in the letter to the congressman.

Bishop Tobin extended an invitation to the congressman to discuss the Catholic Church’s longtime support of comprehensive health care legislation that protects and defends life at all stages.

The congressman said that he recognizes the Church’s continuous support of health care reform.

“My hope is that our Church will be true to its millennia-old mission of feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and caring for those less fortunate than ourselves,” Congressman Kennedy wrote in his letter.

“While I greatly respect the Catholic Church and its leaders, like many Rhode Islanders, the fact that I disagree with the hierarchy of the Church on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.?I embrace my faith which acknowledges the existence of an imperfect humanity.”