Tagged: Bishop Thomas Tobin

The state Senate is set to vote Wednesday on bills to legalize same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. Advocates are continuing to press their case before the vote.

Supporters were overjoyed when the Senate Judiciary Committee approved two same-sex marriage bills. The head of Rhode Islanders United for Marriage, Ray Sullivan, says advocates aren’t taking anything for granted.

“Our work is not done, we continue to work the phones, knock doors, make calls, do all the things we’ve been doing the last several months that have led us to this moment,” said Sullivan.

Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin and Governor Lincoln D. Chafee are at it  again over their favorite hot button issue, same-sex marriage. His Excellency issued a statement supporting the move by Sen. Frank Ciccone, a Providence Democrat, to put the marriage equality issue to a statewide voter referendum.

The leader of Rhode Island’s Roman Catholics reacted positively to the selection of the first pope from South America. Bishop Thomas Tobin was watching the news when Pope Francis was introduced to the world.

The bells of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul pealed wildly when white smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel in Rome, indicating a new pope had been elected. Inside the Providence diocesan offices, Bishop Thomas Tobin and several staff members watched on TV as the new pope emerged from St. Peter’s Basilica.

A noon mass on Thursday marked the final day of Pope Benedict XVI.  It was held at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul.

The Roman Catholic watchdog group BishopAccountability.org is calling for greater transparency from the Diocese of Providence. The call comes as a second priest in two months is forced to resign for an allegation of child sexual abuse. 

Monsignor John Allard has been forced to resign as pastor of St. Agatha and Precious Blood parishes in Woonsocket. The diocese of Providence says it received a credible allegation of child sexual abuse against Allard dating back more than 30 years. The priest has accepted responsibility and expressed remorse, according to the Diocese.