Rhode Island Bishop Weighs In On Inflammatory Abortion Comments

PROVIDENCE, RI — Diocese of Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin weighed in on an ongoing controversy surrounding communion, abortion and the issue of pedophilia in the church, all centered around a West Warwick priest. On Thursday, Tobin said called abortion and the sexual abuse of minors "horrific, immoral actions that have very serious, harmful consequences."

Several week ago, Father Richard Bucci, a priest at Sacred Heart Church in Warwick, placed a letter in the church's weekly bulletin calling out state lawmakers by name and saying anyone who supported the abortion rights bill should not be allowed to receive communion during mass, WJAR reported. A week later, he doubled down on the statement, saying that the Catholic Church has always taken an anti-abortion stance and that doing so is "slaughtering innocent children."

"We are not talking about any other moral issue, where some may make it a comparison between pedophilia and abortion. Pedophilia doesn't kill anyone and this does," Bucci told WJAR.

On Wednesday, Bishop Tobin first broke his silence on the controversy in a tweet that obliquely, if not directly, supported Bucci's stance.

"Can we just clarify, once again: No one has an absolute right to receive Holy Communion? To do so a person has to be canonically eligible and spiritually disposed. In other words, in institutional and spiritual union with the Church," Tobin wrote.

The tweet ignited a fierce debate, with some agreeing with Tobin's message, while most were fiercely opposed, some even calling for the bishop's resignation.

"How many of us Catholics received communion over these many years from men who, shall we say, were neither institutionally nor spiritually disposed? Just to clarify, once again: I’m referring to the many child rapists the church has protected," one commenter wrote.

"The Sacraments are fundamental rights of the baptized, not privileges granted by the clergy," wrote another.

On Thursday morning, Tobin released a longer, formal statement, saying that while "it is never acceptable to underestimate the harm caused by sexual abuse of minors," "abortion is also a sinful, immoral act." He further called for everyone involved to avoid hurling attacks when discussing the controversy.

"In the current public discussion, I urge all parties to refrain from unhelpful, inflammatory rhetoric, and to reflect personally and prayerfully on the consequences of these grave matters," Tobin said.

The full statement is printed below.

In the context of the present public discussion, it is important to affirm that both the sexual abuse of minors and abortion are horrific, immoral actions that have very serious, harmful consequences.

First, it is never acceptable to underestimate the harm caused by sexual abuse of minors. Sexual abuse, wherever and whenever it occurs, causes long-lasting, sometimes permanent and devastating harm to the victims/survivors, their families and the entire community. Allegations of sexual abuse must always be taken most seriously and every effort should be made to protect children and youth, to eliminate abuse, to prosecute abusers, and to offer assistance to those who have been harmed.

But, abortion is also a sinful, immoral act, an “abominable crime.” (Second Vatican Council) Abortion destroys innocent unborn life; it exploits vulnerable women; it diminishes family life; and it corrodes the moral fabric of society. There are no circumstances, personal or political, that justify the termination of unborn children. The Catholic Church has been very clear and consistent in condemning the evil of abortion, and we affirm that those who promote, support and approve abortion, including civic leaders, are responsible for having committed a grave evil in the sight of Almighty God.

In the current public discussion, I urge all parties to refrain from unhelpful, inflammatory rhetoric, and to reflect personally and prayerfully on the consequences of these grave matters. May we renew our efforts to protect life and promote the common good, especially for children and youth, and may God bless our commitment with wisdom, prudence, humility and charity.