A little while ago, I highlighted the debate that Bishop Tobin of Providence, RI was having with U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy. Bishop Tobin now has an amazing open letter to Kennedy which may be one of the best statements of what it means to be a Catholic. Bishop Tobin denounces Kennedy's "I'm still a Catholic even though I disagree on abortion" position, and calls Kennedy to conversion and repentance. This is only an excerpt, but read the whole thing.

...... Your rejection of the Church's teaching on abortion falls into a different category - it's a deliberate and obstinate act of the will; a conscious decision that you've re-affirmed on many occasions. Sorry, you can't chalk it up to an "imperfect humanity." Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members. It absolutely diminishes your communion with the Church.

Congressman Kennedy, I write these words not to embarrass you or to judge the state of your conscience or soul. That's ultimately between you and God. But your description of your relationship with the Church is now a matter of public record, and it needs to be challenged. I invite you, as your bishop and brother in Christ, to enter into a sincere process of discernment, conversion and repentance......

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