Rhode Island bishop critiques synod
October 22, 2014
Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence has written a candid and critical series of “random thoughts” on the recent Synod of Bishops.
“In trying to accommodate the needs of the age, as Pope Francis suggests, the Church risks the danger of losing its courageous, counter-cultural, prophetic voice, a voice that the world needs to hear,” he wrote. “The concept of having a representative body of the Church voting on doctrinal applications and pastoral solutions strikes me as being rather Protestant.”
The prelate continued, “Have we learned that it’s probably not a good idea to publish half-baked minutes of candid discussions about sensitive topics, especially when we know that the secular media will hijack the preliminary discussions for their own agendas?”
He concluded:
Wherever he serves, Cardinal Burke will be a principled, articulate and fearless spokesman for the teachings of the Church.
Pope Francis is fond of “creating a mess.” Mission accomplished.
Relax. God’s still in charge.
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Oct. 24, 2014 7:43 PM ET USA
Loose cannon or needed barrage? You choose the former if you like; I'll stick with the latter. It's a sad day when men who dare to speak the truth, to see and say that the king is not properly clothed, are branded "loose cannons".
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Posted by: james-w-anderson8230 -
Oct. 24, 2014 7:38 PM ET USA
I thought Bishop Tobin's remarks were right on and he was following Pope Francis' instructions to the Synod fathers to speak their minds and not worry about what the Pope thinks. I definitely do not class him as a loose cannon.
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Posted by: -
Oct. 23, 2014 10:02 AM ET USA
Most things are not simply binary. There are multiple threads and values and goods and imperatives that each situation participates in. This is where heaven meets earth. It is the body/soul problem – little incarnational tugs of war in every direction. It is not simple and it is not black and white – and even the parts that ARE black and white have to be balanced against the demands of love and mercy. It is OK not to lead off with criticism. Better perhaps to lead off with an embrace.
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Posted by: brenda22890 -
Oct. 23, 2014 9:38 AM ET USA
Bishop Tobin has it exactly right. I'm sorry to say that I now cringe every time I read that Pope Francis has said anything. That's a terrible way to feel about Christ's Vicar.
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Posted by: Ken -
Oct. 22, 2014 9:24 PM ET USA
If only this courage were the norm among bishops.
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Posted by: unum -
Oct. 22, 2014 6:32 PM ET USA
Both Abp. Tobin and the commenters present an excellent defense of a dying Church, as young members disappear in droves because the Church can't relate Christ's Gospel to today's world. With old tired (and in some cases bitter) clergy and elderly congregations our youth can't relate to, the Church is driving the next generation of Catholics away by mismanagement. I look for the next round of parish closings soon if we can't change.
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Oct. 22, 2014 1:40 PM ET USA
Wow!!! Now there is a bishop with courage to speak Truth to Power.
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Posted by: Defender -
Oct. 22, 2014 1:36 PM ET USA
I like this bishop and what he says seems on the mark, especially about "collegiality." What will remain perplexing is why there are so many bishops who make half-baked comments on the teachings of the Church - have they forgotten so much or are they trying to please everyone?
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Posted by: Jason C. -
Oct. 22, 2014 12:40 PM ET USA
"It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for 'em."
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Posted by: ILM -
Oct. 22, 2014 9:48 AM ET USA
God bless Bishop Tobin.
