In 2013, this blogger
reported on the political earthquake of Bishop Thomas Tobin, the prefect of
Providence, Rhode Island, who switched parties and became a Republican in Deep
Blue Rhode Island.
Very succinctly, he explained his
party-switch to the Associated Press:
for me was the 2012 Democratic National Convention. It was just awful.”
Democratic National Committee attempted to remove references to God, as well as
recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
structurally with that group, in terms of abortion and NARAL [Pro-Choice
America] and Planned Parenthood and [the] same-sex marriage agenda and cultural
destruction I saw going on”. As a matter of religion and conscience, Tobin
withdrew his life-long support from one political party to join another. In
many countries and throughout history, religious officials were close (and in
many cases forcibly) tied to the state, and adhered to the dictates of the government.
For any priest or prelate to declare political affiliation – let alone change them
– was unheard of.
outlined in the First Amendment (speech, press, petition, religion, as well as
assembly are under attack. Yet Tobin’s example shows that in spite of
government threats to interest groups, and the threats of certain groups toward
individual expression, the First Amendment is alive and well, and well worth
fighting for.
Pope Francis and the Holy See. CNS
reports:
Thomas J. Tobin, the Catholic bishop for the Diocese of Providence, R.I.,
commented on the recent Synod of Bishops on the Family held at the Vatican as
“being rather Protestant” in having bishops vote on “doctrinal applications,”
and added that in terms of Pope Francis’s fondness for a “creating a mess,” you
can say, “mission accomplished.”
Indeed, truth and doctrine are not a matter of debate and discussion, but fact
and revelation, independent of popular opinion. Cultural norms are falling
apart in large part because moral behavior and ethical conduct are becoming a
matter of opinion instead of verity. What also stands out about these remarks
is that centuries ago, bishops would never challenge the Pope on doctrinal or
procedural matters. This “impolitick” nature is a unique habit among American
Catholics.
Bishop Tobin
remarked on his blog page beyond the current culture wars:
It’s an enormous challenge to maintain pristine doctrinal purity while at
the same time respond to the experiential, personal, and difficult needs of
married couples and families. Behind every arcane discussion of gradualism and
natural law there are parents and children awaiting God’s grace.
![]("http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/images/size680/Bishop_Thomas_J_Tobin_of_Providence_Rhode_Island_File_Photo_CNA_CNA_9_16_14.jpg") |
| Bishop Thomas Tobin, Providence RI |
It is a challenge, but no one should quit fighting for it, and one’s right to
speak one’s mind on these pressing concerns.
Tobin shared strong words about the Supreme
Court's redefinition of marriage, too:
A thousand courts may rule otherwise, but the very notion of “same-sex
marriage” is morally wrong and a blatant rejection of God’s plan for the human
family. As Pope Francis taught while serving as Archbishop in Argentina:
“Same-sex marriage is not simply a political struggle, but it is an attempt to
destroy God’s plan.
Regardless of one’s views on same-sex marriage, no one should disdain Bishop
Tobin’s capacity to speak clearly and respectfully his views. Unfortunately, "Respectful,
charitable, and constructive" do not describe the Gay Left. LGBTQ activist
George defamed a dissenting Associate Justice as
"a clown in blackface". US Senator Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin
(along with Rhode Island’s US Senators) have voted to curtail the First
Amendment by setting limits to campaign financing. Baldwin specifically
redefined the First Amendment to function only in churches. City
officials have endured attacks for their beliefs, too.
of Independence, and third President of the United States, did not believe that
liberties stopped at one’s front door. He outlined as much and more in his Virginia
Statutes on Religious Freedom.
the resilience of government clerks in Texas who refused to give out
marriage licenses to gay couples:
county clerk in Hood County Texas isn’t going to issue marriage licenses to
same sex couples because, she said, she has rights too. “I will not be issuing
same-sex marriage licenses due to my religious convictions,” Katie Lang wrote.
Lang said that the Constitution guarantees her freedom of religion too. (CNN)
to Ms. Lang for her courageous stand! We need many more conscientious objectors
— people of courage who will abide by their conscience, protect their
religious rights. . .
gun rights, or immigration, the freedom to have and to hold, to believe and
live according to one’s conscience should not be infringed.
this country’s Founders (from Roger Williams to the Framers of the
Constitution) endured to ensure “the blessings of liberty”. Rhode Islanders
definitely should respect Bishop Tobin’s full respect, exercise, and defense of
the First Amendment. Not
just conscientious objectors, but defenders of the freedom of conscience,
religion, and the press are needed now more than ever in the United States.