Incredible: A Modern Bishop Speaks His Mind. In an article for the Rhode Island Catholic, Bishop Thomas Tobin (69) of Providence called the negative reaction to President Trump’s withdrawal from the …More
Incredible: A Modern Bishop Speaks His Mind.
In an article for the Rhode Island Catholic, Bishop Thomas Tobin (69) of Providence called the negative reaction to President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord an "hysterical event". Tobin does not dispute the need to control global warming, but "whether or not the Paris agreement is the best or only means of achieving that goal is a legitimate debate." He quotes Francis' encyclical Laudato Si, “The Church knows that honest debate must be encouraged among experts, while respecting divergent views.”
Bishop Tobin speaks about the politicians and actors who attacked President Trump over his climate decision. Quote, "They could do a lot more themselves to protect the environment if they would just forego their frequent international travels, private jets, splendid yachts, palatial homes, and lavish lifestyles."
Tobin further writes that we keep hearing that the Church has to “listen” more to groups with particular agendas like the homosexualists. His answer, "I get it. It’s important that we talk and listen to one another, and I know as well as anyone that consultation is an indispensable part of the life of the Church today. However, when Jesus commissioned the Apostles to go forth, he instructed them to teach, not listen, didn’t he?"
Tobin says about the groups, who want the Church to listen, that it is "also necessary that those groups listen to the Church, since the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, preserves and promotes the truths of the Gospel and the teachings of Christ. Encounter and welcoming are virtuous practices, but not at the expense of the truth."
Speaking about the declining number of priests, Tobin quotes a letter in the Providence Journal, which suggested that the answer to the clergy shortage is to allow married priests and women priests. And, "The Church has to change its teachings if it is to survive and prosper.” Bishop Tobin answers, “Prosper . . . you mean just like the mainline Protestant churches?” I said to myself.
In an article for the Rhode Island Catholic, Bishop Thomas Tobin (69) of Providence called the negative reaction to President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord an "hysterical event". Tobin does not dispute the need to control global warming, but "whether or not the Paris agreement is the best or only means of achieving that goal is a legitimate debate." He quotes Francis' encyclical Laudato Si, “The Church knows that honest debate must be encouraged among experts, while respecting divergent views.”
Bishop Tobin speaks about the politicians and actors who attacked President Trump over his climate decision. Quote, "They could do a lot more themselves to protect the environment if they would just forego their frequent international travels, private jets, splendid yachts, palatial homes, and lavish lifestyles."
Tobin further writes that we keep hearing that the Church has to “listen” more to groups with particular agendas like the homosexualists. His answer, "I get it. It’s important that we talk and listen to one another, and I know as well as anyone that consultation is an indispensable part of the life of the Church today. However, when Jesus commissioned the Apostles to go forth, he instructed them to teach, not listen, didn’t he?"
Tobin says about the groups, who want the Church to listen, that it is "also necessary that those groups listen to the Church, since the Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, preserves and promotes the truths of the Gospel and the teachings of Christ. Encounter and welcoming are virtuous practices, but not at the expense of the truth."
Speaking about the declining number of priests, Tobin quotes a letter in the Providence Journal, which suggested that the answer to the clergy shortage is to allow married priests and women priests. And, "The Church has to change its teachings if it is to survive and prosper.” Bishop Tobin answers, “Prosper . . . you mean just like the mainline Protestant churches?” I said to myself.