Bishop responds to Kennedy controversy

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The public feud between Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin is escalating. Over the weekend, Kennedy claimed the Bishop banned him from receiving communion.

Tobin said he did ask Kennedy not to receive Holy Communion, but back in 2007, because of Kennedy's public stance on issues like abortion.

Bishop Tobin released a statement Sunday following an interview with Congressman Kennedy published in the Providence Journal. In the interview, Kennedy claimed Bishop Tobin told him not to take Holy Communion, and ordered all Diocesan priests not to give him the sacrament.

In his statement, Bishop Tobin denied ordering Rhode Island priests not to give Kennedy Communion. The Bishop also said "I am disappointed the Congressman would make public my request of nearly three years ago that sought to provide solely for his spiritual well-being."

Kennedy said the Bishop had explained the penalty by telling him, "that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I've taken as a public official," particularly on abortion. He declined to say when or how Tobin told him not to take the sacrament. And he declined to say whether he has obeyed the Bishop's injunction.

It's the latest in a public feud between Kennedy and Bishop Tobin that began last month, when Kennedy crticized the nation's Catholic bishops for threatening to oppose a massive expansion of the nation's health care system unless it included tighter restrictions on federally funded abortion.

"[Congressman Kennedy] is a personal friend of mine," said parishionerer Rolant Grant. "And he has a personal choice to leave the Church."

"In the Catholic faith, we are pro-life," added parishionerer Paul Campbell. "And that's the bottom line."

Bishop Tobin also said he was praying for Kennedy, and wished him well. Congressman Kennedy did not respond to calls seeking comment Sunday.