RI bishop, Rep. Kennedy delay meeting

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A meeting scheduled Thursday between Rhode Island's Roman Catholic bishop and Rep. Patrick Kennedy to discuss their dispute over abortion and health care reform has been postponed indefinitely, Bishop Thomas Tobin said Monday.

Tobin said in a statement that he hoped a meeting can be rescheduled soon "in a personal and pastoral setting."

The cancellation was a mutual decision, Tobin spokesman Michael Guilfoyle said. He said the meeting became less pressing after the House voted Saturday to approve a massive health care overhaul that included abortion restrictions sought by the nation's Catholic bishops.

Kennedy opposed an amendment tightening federal abortion restrictions in the plan, but he supported the overall health care proposal. His spokeswoman did not return a call seeking comment.

Kennedy, a Catholic, last month criticized church leaders who oppose plans to expand health care coverage unless they include more abortion restrictions. Tobin called on Kennedy to apologize for his remarks and asked for a meeting.

The Democratic Congressman has said he did not intend to slight the church and added the issue facing Congress is "access to health care and nothing else."

Tobin questioned in a public letter Monday whether Kennedy fulfills the requirements of being a Catholic.

"Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members," Tobin wrote. "It absolutely diminishes your communion with the Church."