By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS Staff Journalist In response to a statement by Rep. Patrick Kennedy that his support for abortion does not make him “less of a Catholic,” the Bishop of Providence, Rhode Island is using the latest salvo as a teachable moment by pointing out why the dissenting Kennedy is in a “flawed” communion with the Church. Rep. Kennedy and Providence Bishop Thomas J. Tobin have been feuding ever since Kennedy publicly accused the Church of fanning the “flames of dissent and discord” by opposing health care reform that does not explicitly prohibit abortion funding. When Bishop Tobin demanded an apology, the son of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy responded by saying, “The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.” In a letter published in the Rhode Island Catholic, Bishop Tobin said such a statement “deserves a public response, lest it go unchallenged and lead others to believe it’s true.” Disagreeing with the Church on a single issue does indeed make a person less of a Catholic, the Bishop said. “Although I wouldn’t choose those particular words, when someone rejects the teachings of the Church, especially on a grave matter, a life-and-death issue like abortion, it certainly does diminish their ecclesial communion, their unity with the Church.” One’s refusal to accept the teaching of the Church makes one’s communion with the Church “flawed,” the Bishop said.  After explaining Church teaching and Canon Law on the subject, the Bishop suggested they take a more practical approach and consider what it means to be Catholic. “Well, in simple terms – and here I refer only to those more visible, structural elements of Church membership – being a Catholic means that you’re part of a faith community that possesses a clearly defined authority and doctrine, obligations and expectations. It means that you believe and accept the teachings of the Church, especially on essential matters of faith and morals; that you belong to a local Catholic community, a parish; that you attend Mass on Sundays and receive the sacraments regularly; that you support the Church, personally, publicly, spiritually and financially.” He went on to ask: “Congressman, I’m not sure whether or not you fulfill the basic requirements of being a Catholic, so let me ask: Do you accept the teachings of the Church on essential matters of faith and morals, including our stance on abortion? Do you belong to a local Catholic community, a parish? Do you attend Mass on Sundays and receive the sacraments regularly? Do you support the Church, personally, publicly, spiritually and financially?" Even though the Congressman claims to embrace the faith, Bishop Tobin went on to ask, " . . . (I)f you don’t fulfill the basic requirements of membership, what is it exactly that makes you a Catholic? Your baptism as an infant? Your family ties? Your cultural heritage?” He also pointed out that the Congressman’s rejection of Church teaching on abortion is “a deliberate and obstinate act of the will” that has been re-affirmed “on many occasions.” “Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members,” the Bishop wrote. “It absolutely diminishes your communion with the Church.” Bishop Tobin said he was responding to Rep. Kennedy’s charges in a public forum not to embarrass or judge him but to correct the public record and to invite him into “a sincere process of discernment, conversion and repentance.” Apparently, a meeting between the two had been scheduled but has since been postponed. The diocese says it remains hopeful that a meeting with the Congressman can take place in the very near future. © All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com