When President Obama expressed his support for same-sex marriage, Bishop Tobin said that it was a “sad day in American history.”

When former Rhode Island Representative Patrick Kennedy made public Bishop Tobin’s private request for him to forego Holy Communion because of his views on abortion, Bishop Tobin released a statement saying “I will absolutely respond publicly and strongly whenever [Rep. Kennedy] attacks the Catholic Church, misrepresents the teachings of the Church, or issues inaccurate statements about my pastoral ministry.”

Now, Bishop Tobin is urging Rhode Island lawmakers to resist redefining marriage so to include same-sex relationships.

The Rhode Island House Speaker has already promised to bring forth a bill by the end of January that would legalize same-sex marriage. If passed, Rhode Island would join EVERY OTHER STATE in New England in allowing same-sex marriage.

In his column for this week’s Rhode Island Catholic, Bishop Tobin wrote the following (with some omissions):

The proposal to legalize “same-sex marriage” in the State of Rhode Island is immoral and unnecessary. Despite enormous political pressure, the General Assembly should stand firm, resist the current fashionable trend, and continue to uphold its longstanding commitment to marriage as traditionally defined.

The proposal to legalize same-sex marriage is an attempt to redefine the institution of marriage as it has existed in every culture from the very beginning of human history. Marriage between a man and a woman was designed by God for two specific purposes: to affirm the complementary roles of males and females in a loving relationship, and to provide a stable foundation for the procreation and raising of children. Homosexual relationships can achieve neither of those goals.

Secondly, homosexual marriage enshrines into civil law immoral activity. The natural law, the Holy Scriptures, and long-standing religious tradition are very consistent in affirming that homosexual activity is sinful, contrary to God’s plan. It should never be encouraged, ratified or “blessed” by the state. It’s important to emphasize once again, however, that while rejecting homosexual activity, the Catholic Church has consistently promoted respect and pastoral care for individuals with same-sex attraction. They are children of God and our brothers and sisters. They are invited to be members of our churches. It is our very concern for their spiritual welfare, however, that motivates our rejection of the homosexual lifestyle and same-sex marriage.

Next, the concept of same-sex marriage is an untested social experiment with unpredictable long-term outcomes. The marriage of man and woman is, and always has been, the fundamental building block of the human family and human culture. One cannot tinker with this societal DNA without risking unknown changes to the structure of our society, especially as it relates to the proper upbringing of children.

Another real problem to consider is that the establishment of same-sex marriage would pose yet another threat to religious freedom. Proponents of same-sex marriage have frequently proclaimed that no religious institution will be obliged to officiate at marriages that are contrary to their beliefs. That may or may not prove to be true. But what is of equal concern, however, is that religious bodies will be obliged to extend their resources, facilities and benefits to individuals who are living in immoral relationships – contrary to sincerely held religious beliefs. This is not a hypothetical situation; it’s already happening throughout our nation.

A final point. If we are in fact forced to discuss the nature of matrimony in our state, it should be placed before the general public in a referendum. The proposal to redefine marriage as a fundamental structure in our culture is a very serious issue with profound consequences. I suspect that people on both sides of the issue agree with that. On a question of this magnitude, then, the people of this state should decide as they have in many other states. Let us vote!

It has been said that “the world is changing” and that we need to get with the times. Well, it’s certainly true that the world is changing, but the truth is that not all change is good. It’s never good to accept and promote immoral activity; it’s never good to experiment dangerously with the long-term well-being of the community; it’s never good to impose a politically-correct, socially-fashionable agenda item on the entire community, especially if it challenges the conscience and religious liberty of many, many citizens.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee

Bishop Thomas Tobin continues to be one of the best writers in the Church today. His recent article on the inauguration of Governor Lincoln Chafee is no exception. Chafee was once a pro-abortion Republican, but he left the GOP in 2007. This past November, he was elected Governor of Rhode Island as an Independent.

For his inaugural festivities, Chafee broke with tradition and decided not to include any public prayer service. To this, Bishop Tobin said: “I’m neither surprised by nor disappointed by the Governor’s decision.” The bishop said the Governor’s decision was “completely his prerogative.”

But Bishop Tobin did take issue with something else.

I’m more concerned by the reason for the no-prayer decision given by his spokesman who said that the Governor’s “point of view is that his inaugural day needs to respect the separation of church and state. Separation of church and state is an important constitutional principle.”

The explanation is disappointing and confusing; it raises some rather significant questions.

First, if it’s imperative to maintain the alleged “separation of church and state” on inauguration day, why were prayers offered at the inauguration ceremony itself? And why did the Governor invite religious leaders to have a prominent presence at the event?

Read the rest of Bishop Tobin’s article to see him describe why the so-called Separation of Church and State is used to “silence the faith community.”

H/T  CatholicCulture.org

He was the first bishop I ever met. It was shortly after he was made bishop of Youngstown and he visited the small Tridentine chapel I grew up at shortly after it was made a personal parish and the Fraternity of St. Peter was brought in to minister to the faithful. It was the first time a bishop had visited that chapel that I know of. He had come to do Confirmations, which he did according to the old rite, despite not having a smooth facility with the Latin language. His humble demeanor and easy, welcoming smile made an impression on me; especially because of the years our little chapel had fought bitterly with his predecessor over whether we had the right to exist canonically (long story–I may write a book someday–but we were never excommunicated or formally schismatic).

Years later I heard a story about his first act as the new bishop of Providence. The morning after he was named, even before he was officially introduced as bishop, he made a surprise visit to the minor seminary. A friend of mine who was a seminarian there at the time said they all were awakened rather early by the rector and other administrators who were frantically trying to get the house ready for the unexpected arrival of the new Ordinary. His first act was to meet with the men who were dedicating themselves to assist him in serving the people of his new see.

A year or two ago he had a public exchange of letters with then-Representative Patrick Kennedy in which it was clear his only intention and desire was to help a wounded soul understand the truth and true charity of the Catholic position on certain matters.

Now we have a letter he penned “to inactive Catholics,“all those who have abandoned the practice of the faith or rejected it, for whatever reason. I recommend reading the whole thing, but a few excerpts:

If you were baptized a Catholic, you’re a Catholic for life – even if you haven’t been to Mass for years, even if you’ve renounced the title and joined another Church. Your baptism infused your soul with Catholic DNA – it defines who and what you are.

An important point. Our inactive Catholic brethren have the grace of baptism and, in most cases, have tasted the Bread of Angels, and in lots of cases, even have the grace of Confirmation. These are all working in favor of those of us who wish to help them return to Holy Mother Church.

He lists three basic reasons why people may have left the Church: disagreement, boredom, scandal, and laziness. Then he goes through them.

For disagreement he plainly states that the Church teaches what she teaches for a reason: give it a second shot and see if it wasn’t just confusion or a less-than-stellar teacher who taught you. He says, “Sometimes, we find, good folks get bad information and that leads to confusion and then alienation.”

On boredom, he admits:

Sometimes, it’s true, leaders of the Church haven’t fed the flock very well – sometimes we haven’t provided sound and challenging teaching and preaching, and sometimes our worship has been banal and bland. Perhaps we haven’t been very kind or welcoming. I apologize for that; we can and should do better.

(Emphasis mine.) I think the bold section is more important than most would admit. But also, he immediately challenges the reader: “On the other hand, when you attend Mass it shouldn’t be all about you – the focus is God!”

Indeed.

On scandal, he says:

I hope you’ll forgive us and give us another chance. Members of the Church – including priests and bishops – are completely human. Sometimes we say things and do things that are totally unacceptable, even immoral. But let’s face it – we belong to a community of sinners – that’s why we begin every Mass by calling to mind our sins and asking for God’s forgiveness. The virtue of forgiveness is an essential part of the Christian life – we all need to seek and grant forgiveness now and then.

Beautiful–”we belong to a community of sinners.” A retreat master I once had preached that the only thing that qualifies us for God’s mercy is our sinfulness, and that there is that odd moment in the Exsultet, the most joyous hymn of the Church, chanted at the Easter Vigil proclaiming the resurrection and the Lord’s victory over death, “O happy fault! O necessary sin of Adam! Because of which we have such a Savior!”

It is a backward-seeming sentiment, but truly to forgive is perhaps one of the most important aspects of being human–it is one of the most God-like actions we can presume to undertake, considering our relationship to Him is one of nearly constantly needing forgiveness.

Then his final theme was personal laziness, he exhorts the inactive Catholics to give thought to their relationship with God and to consider the importance of the Church (her sacraments, her teaching, her sainted examples) in overcoming the complacency and striving for the burning fire of God’s love.

And he wraps up with a call to a mutual arrangement:

You need the Church – you need the teachings of the Church, the life-giving sacraments of the Church, and the support of a community that shares your faith and values. But the Church also needs you – we need the gifts of your time and talent, your faith and commitment. The Church has an awful lot to offer you, but if in fact we’ve been imperfect fulfilling our mission, in serving the Lord and caring for one another, perhaps you can help us to do better.

The communion of saints includes the Church Militant–we here on earth–striving with one another to build the kingdom of God. No one does it on his or her own, and we cannot do it without the grace received through God’s Church.

I hope his letter is read and shared far and wide this Advent season.