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Bishop and Rep. Kennedy To Meet on Healthcare Dispute
Thursday, November 5, 2009
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| U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy (L) shown with RI Bishop, Thomas Tobin. |
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island’s Roman Catholic bishop and U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy have scheduled a meeting next week to discuss their public dispute on abortion and national health care overhaul.
Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin said Wednesday he wants to discuss Kennedy’s relationship to the church and its teachings at the Nov. 12 meeting. A Kennedy spokeswoman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Kennedy last month criticized church leaders who oppose universal health care plans unless the plans include more restrictions on abortions. Tobin called those remarks "irresponsible," though Kennedy said he didn’t mean to slight the church.
Tobin said he wants to reaffirm to Kennedy the church’s overall support for health care reform but will also stress its opposition to abortion. He says that Kennedy, as a Catholic, must accept the church’s abortion position.
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