americans united for life blog
Changing Law to Protect Human Life, State by State
Rep. Patrick Kennedy’s dispute with Rhode Island Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin attracted national attention on Sunday when Kennedy said that Tobin had asked him to refrain from receiving communion because of his pro-abortion views.
MSNBC television talk show host Chris Matthews debated Bishop Tobin today about abortion, law and Rep. Kennedy’s Holy Communion:
PART 1
Part 2
 
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{ 66 comments… read them below or add one }
Chris Matthews is absolutely disgusting…actually as disgusting as this: http://www.abortioninstruments.com/abortion_videos.html
Chris Matthews needs to bone up on abortion facts and reality.
Women ARE all punished for having abortions!
It looked like Matthews was lecturing him, it didn’t look like a dialogue at all, very ridiculous. I’d say he should be fired, but he’d probably make me write a 2000 page report about it.
This is rich! Chrissy lecturing a Bishop! What a maroon.
This is the best Hardball could do? Just shout at Bishop Tobin for 12 minutes? And where did we get the chance to hear Bishop Tobin defend himself? I’d really like to know what he thinks about Hardball’s accusations, because we certainly didn’t here. This is really quite embarrassing that this is what “debate” has been reduced to. I just love the way Hardball “drew” a conclusion at the end, given that Bishop Tobin had all of a couple of minutes out a full 12 or so to really explain himself, and only half of that went uninterrupted. And people listen to this, and call this fair? A truly sad state we are in in this country today!
Matthews shows a far greater affinity for the Kennedys than he does for his Catholic Faith – a secular bully, Catholic in name only. A shameless man.
Dear Mr. Matthews:
Why do you insist on constantly making a public fool of yourself by posing as an expert on topics where your knowledge is sorely deficient.
If you don’t like the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, join one other countless protestant denominations where you would feel at home. No big loss.
God Bless Bishop Thomas to put up with the evil of chris mathews.
Chris Matthews hasn’t a clue. The Bishop is concerned with the individual’s soul and the duty of that individual to conduct his or her private and public life’s decisions according to a right conscience and the moral imperative to act in concert with that conscience. In reality, the government should have no role in drafting laws concerning abortion, pro or con. It isn’t a mandate of the Constitution in any case and the government may be overstepping its authority to even consider such legislation.
Of course Chris Matthews does not know his place. He tries to play these gotcha games with leading questions down a path that doesn’t address the heart of the matter (IE: abortion). The simple point and obvious point is that abortion is always wrong. If someone supports abortion through their vote, speech or other public action then out of pastoral reasons the bishop should provide a charitable but firm response and this is what Bishop Tobin did. The bishop was quite gracious.
Bishop Tobin is right. Chris Matthews is wrong and so is Rep. Kennedy. Matthews and Kennedy should do penence in sackcloth and ashes for the public scandal they give running around like they’re Catholics while dead babies are under their feet!
Chris Matthews defies the Church, and thus he defies God. He lies to Bishop Tobin by claiming to respect him. He uses the Bishop as a punching bag, duly noted when Bp Tobin included in a set of examples “beating up people”. The Bishop’s constant “nodding” seems to reflect the borish nature of Hannity.
I am extremely offended by Chris Mathews badgering of and lecturing to Bishop Tobin, not to mention Chris’s constant interruptions of what the Good Bishop was trying to say.
It’s not The Churches job to write civil law, however civil law should be based on the magisterial teachings of the Catholic church for a peaceful, just, and harmonious society. Abortion IS the killing of a unique, distinct, and never to be repeated human being. With more than 50,000,000 human being in the U.S. alone absent from society because of this crime against the Natural Law, its no wonder the general morals of this society are in such a sad state. The current birth rate in the U.S. is near the sub-replacement level and if it undergoes further decline, our society may cease to exist at some not too distant point in the future. This could easily be halted simply by outlawing abortion ensuring that our society will more easily continue to exist.
Mr Matthews “debated” Archbishop Tobin??? What, precisely, does that mean? The Archbishop is only doing what he has to do, for the good of Kennedy’s soul. There is nothing to debate about.
I can only add that Mr Matthews is in dire need of a catechism class, which he must have slept through as a child.
Thank you Bishop Tobin. You were an example of Christ & a gentleman. You stated facts.
It is a Law that killing a baby not yet born is killing. This is punishable as killing. This is on the law books so there is not debate. We belive that life starts at conception. It is a child, baby, person and a soul from GOD. You are sadly mistaken. God for give you.
Killing is a law. We belive that life starts at conception. It is a child, baby, person and a soul from GOD. You are sadly mistaken. God for give you.
Mathews sounds like the pharisees trying to trap Jesus. Hope for his sake he wakes up to his stink’n think’n. His own words bely his own state of spirituality.
After viewing Hardball with Chris Matthews and Bishop Tobin,I heartily applaud the Bishop! Why have we always thrown convicted murderers into prison,yet,murder of a fetus is not considered murder?Is it because the “type”of murder?One is acceptable but,another is not?It’s all the same to me except one method makes big bucks in the process.
How totally disrespectful and rude. Chris wants to hear himself talk and interupts Bishop Tobin constantly without listening to the Bishop. Congratulations to Bishop for his patience and authentic Catholic teaching. Thanks Bishop Tobin for your challenge to Chris Matthew to think of his response to the Churches teaching, which seemed to be what he was so adamant about defending.
Typical Chris Mathews. He asks questions and talks over the guests and doesn’t allow them to talk.
Then he sums up by putting words in their mouths.
I normally would not watch him for this reason and I believe his ratings show that I am not alone in feeling this way towards him.
what is it that Chris Matthews does not understand about murder?
Chris Matthews is a cement head! Kennedy can be a congressman who lives his faith or a non catholic who votes for murder. The two don’t mix and Matthews apparently doesn’t know how to live his faith either. The penalty for abortion should be applied to the hit man hired to do the job. That would shorten up the numbers quick!
Matthews:
How do you justify the murder of an innocent human being? Laws are in no way perfect as Roe vs.Wade. As a pro-abortion person, you obviously do not see the flaw of legalizing murder. Apparently you have never seen a sonogram. It is time for you to get on your knees to ask for forgiveness.
Who said, Chris Matthews is being deliberately disingenuous. He didn’t research his topic or he is very stupid and he doesn’t understand what went on. Not only that he was outrageously rude, maybe his Bishop should maybe talk to him if he still considers himself a Catholic. For crying outloud Mr Kennedy began this by telling the Church what it should do! It was for a public offence that he drew the charitable chastisement of the good Bishop.
Chris Matthews is a bully: is it trully amazing how he attacked Bishop Tobin! He has some guts! Matthews was loud, intimidating and only wanted to shovel his views down Bishop Tobin’s throat! It is wonderful to have Bishop Tobin as a representative of the Church. Rep. Kennedy and Chris Matthews are also exemplary representatives of what politicians are like and a what media folks are like.
Chris is rude and bombastic. Father Tobin was attacked and interrupted consistently.
Father Tobin is living by the teachings of the Catholic Church and standing up for life is one of them. Those, as Senator Patrick, who choose to believe otherwise is abandoning his faith for a law that was passed in 1973. What was his belief before this ill-conceived law? We just have to abandon our pro-life views to a secular law? We have to actually believe we are not murdering a human being now because the law says it is okay to have an abortion? God’s law is not to murder! Catholics believe abortion is murder, a choice the Supreme Court has decided is okay if the women should choose to do so (since 1973). Before 1972 a baby was a human being, after the ruling it was a blob of tissue. What twisted minds have come evolved from this type of thinking. Thank God for those in the Catholic church who still have the guts to stand up for life against the mighty forces of those who defend evil.
First of all Matthews doesn’t let his guest get a word in edgewise. Secondly he is not trying to enforce the law and writing of the public law. He has a right to set the standards within his church, and those standards are highly pro-life. Therefore, if a person wishes to be a member of this church then they are obligated to follow the teachings of the church and Chris Matthews nor any public figure has the right to tell the church what their guidelines are, and who may receive communion in their church. Kennedy, and many others, does not agree with the catechism of the Catholic church. Therefore, he should find another church to belong to, not decide that the Catholic church should change itself just for him. The catechism of the Catholic faith is the one directly handed down from Jesus, the catechism has not changed since then, other peripheral aspects of the church have changed, but not the catechism, which dictates pro-life. So being a Kennedy does not mean that he’s great enough to change the catechism of the church to suit his own self-serving agenda, he does not have that right. Go somewhere else Kennedy and Chris Matthews, this church is not changing for you, sacred communion is not a politcal weapon.
Obviously Chris Matthews respects the devil in the details, and in his arrogance I’m sure Satan is rejoicing in his media partner’s juxtaposition with the Bishop. This is more about Matthews and his attempted hard line questioning than the issue of the Bishop and Kennedy. What a clown!
Bishop Tobin is a good man and I respect his stand very much. When it comes to the details of the discussion the simple fact remains, abortion is not a religious debate, it is a human rights issue. The church simply recognizes that truth. It is not the interference of a religious ideal as Matthews attempts to illustrate it to be. Human rights is not a religious idea, it is universal to our species. Matthews just tried to paint an old tactic in a new, predictable and tiresome way. There is a reason why these people and their influence is fading fast. Truth will always rise above the propaganda.
Was Chris Matthews interviewing the bishop or himself?
WOW, WOW, THAT INTERVIEWER IS TALKING ON TOP OF THE BISHOP I CANNOT MAKE SOMETHING OUT OF WHAT HE IS REALLY TALKING. IT IS SO UNPROFESSIONAL AND VERY INSULTING. REMINDS ME OF A HOST IN ANOTHER STATION WHO HAS SO MUCH HATRED IN TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION. THAT PERSON HAS LEFT EMPLOY. WHY NOT CHRIS MATHEW. HIS FACE ON THIS INTERVIEW LOOKS AS IF HE IS READY TO KILL.
Mr. Mathews, who in the world do you think you are? Just a big, silly attention getting fool. You need prayers and a large dose of Wisdom, get over yourself. You are a sic ole lib boy. Go to your room and review the 10 commandments. You have a “choice” leave the church until you take some “grow up” pills you and little Patrick as well. I LOVE THE CATHOLIC TEACHINGS!!!!
You Mr. Hard ball, you are a flapper. The Church says Abortion is an evil, do you think a baby being burned to death in mommy’s womb is not evil, stabbing a full grown baby in the back of the neck and sucking his brain out is not intrinsically evil? The law is bad and needs to end. Kennedy is out there bragging about his being Catholic and voting for the Health care bill with abortion in it, abortion is not fall under health care it is death care a doctor is called to save lives, killing babies goes against his very calling. Ido not want to help any body with my money to kill the unborn. 4000 babies a day are killed! Are you proud? It makes my heart ache. The Catholic Church does not demonstrate power it demonstrates TRUTH. Everyone should be seeking truth. It is common sense that babies should be saved not killed, what do you call it if a baby is alive then a big brave doctor snuffs the babies life out, the baby is then dead he has been killed, Right! A Nation who Kills its Unborn is a Nation without Hope! You cannot be a Catholic Congressman and vote pro-choice, To whom much has been given, much more is expected!Kennedy, you are a disgrace to our faith. Find a religion that is for the killing of the unborn. Any Catholic and there are many who vote pro choice and especially if they do believe in abortion, they are just not Catholic, They excommunicated themselves, they should not go forth to recieve the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. If Catholic, no one with a grave sin can recieve Holy Communion. So who do these people of Power think they are. I am very proud of Bishop Tobin. He speaks the “whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God.”
What Chris Matthews is doing to Bishop Tobin is an act of disgust. He speaks to the point of nausea and should allow the Bishop more time to respond. He speaks over him showing his distaste for the Catholic Church and the faith & teachings of this religion. May God show His mighty hand with all that Catholics are confronted with in these very difficult & troubling times.
Chris Matthews needs to give his guest a chance to talk. The bishop has the right and duty to try to prevent a Catholic in name only to give public scandal and flaunt his sins while prancing up to the church altar to receive his God without being challenged as a hypocrit!
After watching the interview between Chris Matthews and Bishop Tobin, I now understand why most American’s
are watching Fox News. Chris’s behavior was inexcusable. Patrick Kennedy can open any telephone book and find a multitude of churches that might welcome his attitude of privilege, but the Catholic church does not have to bend its rules to accomodate him or anyone that thinks like him. God help us all.
Dear Mr. Matthews:
Until watching this video, I always found your show informative and enlightening. After viewing the attack you have waged upon this man of God, I can no longer support the ratings of this show. You tackled this topic with the good bishop without the respect due his collar. I am now and ex Hardball viewer!
Amazing that Chris Matthews both is the interviewer and the interviewee. He had all the answers for Bishop Tobin laid out! Thanks, Chris, for enlightening us about YOUR views on this issue!!!!
So Chris Matthews thinks the Church should have no influence on the State, but that the State should dictate to the Church her position on ethics? How consistent.
Sorry, Matthews, but law is supposed to be based on morality and reason, not political bias and the desire for sexual license. And, you rude oaf, the bishop answered your questions, so why did you have to constantly interrupt him? Hysterical commentators like this brute are not proper guides for any nation, as they only increase faulty, selfish, and prejudiced thinking.
God bless the good bishop! We have so few.
Chris Matthews sounds EXACTLY LIKE those who could not accept that the immorality of slavery and segregation COMPELLED us to make it a “matter for Caesar”, and CHANGE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL LAW!. Look it up…read their arguments and objections!
I urge everyone to look at OUR HISTORY, and all human history, and see that ALL CIVIL LAW must have as it’s basis natural and moral law. Civil law DOES NOT HAVE a power unto itself…”IT IS GIVEN TO YOU FROM ABOVE!”…if you insist civil law has no natural, moral, or ethical roots and guide, then you open the door to a Hitler, or a Stalin, or worse.
For those who believe, the condemnation of the innocent man who called Himself the Christ, the Messiah, and the killing of the unborn, are one and the same thing…it is better that THEY should die (whom SOME SAY are persons!), rather than suffer the “the consequences” of allowing (Him/them) to live.
This clearly was NOT an interview. It was Chris Matthews being Chris Matthews. Again, just ranting, not letting his interview answer questions, and voicing his own opinion. Thank you Bishop Tobin for having the courage to speak on behalf of Mother Church. That is the absolutely LAST time I will tune in to this very tired talk show host. His so called interviews are clearly one sided.
Matthews is an ignorant ideologue. His premis is completely flawed and unfortunate. His argument is specious at best and his logic twisted. What a great example how pride can pervert thought. How irrelevant can his show get before it gets pulled?
Re: Archbishop Tobin’s interview…….
Chris,
YOU ARE A WINDBAG……
Bishop Tobin did well. Chris Matthews could not see that the church is trying to save souls and help each of us be the best we can be. Chris Matthew is fighting for a freedom and a fairness that is subjective and popularity driven. Bishop Tobin refers to a freedom and fairness that stands on God’s love. Chris thinks he knows…but he doesn’t – sadly enough.
God bless Bishop Tobin!
Chis Matthews was pursuing Bishop Tobin to say what the penalty would be for a woman who allows murder by abortion in her own body. Yes, it is difficult to think of putting a woman in jail for this murderous act. But, what of the woman who murders a baby after one hour or day or week after a baby being born. It comes down to do we really believe that there is a precious human life inside of her from conception. Is it a life to be protected by our laws or not. As a Catholic Bishop Tobin is teaching that it is. President Kennedy felt he had to sell his faith to get elected. He wanted to distance himself from the Pope. As he did he distanced himself from Jesus and we saw what fruit was born. Jesus did say give to Cesar what is Cesar, but that does not include the blood of the innocents. The innocents belong to God.
Clearly the problem of many as read in the tone and seen on the face of Cris Matthews is arrogance and pride.
Oldest sin in the good book. Greatest blocade of the Spirit.
Remember, during these times, the ‘eyes are the mirror of the soul.’
Chris Matthews should have been wearing a Pilate outfit when he did this interview. Or maybe a Sanhedrin outfit might have been more appropriate.
SHAME on liberal Catholics. They’ve turned into WOLVES.
Chis Matthews is dense, obstinate idiot. He just doesn’t get it that the foundation of all law is the natural, moral law; protection of the innocent is the basis for enacting any legislation. The ancient philosphers discussed and wrote about this. Our legislators do it all the time when writing laws. However, when it comes to the abortion issue, they hide behind the guise of “enacting moral legislation”
Matthews does not understand that the Church doesn’t make policy it only hands on the Truth and the state is obligated to follow these Truths that flow from Natural Law principles. When the state understands the moral law they implement policies to help the people adhere to that law as we have seen for centuries throughout the world. What is happening now is the modernists and the relativists are leading the people of God into individualism so society has lost the knowledge of transcendence which helps us to look outside ourselves to find the Truth. We have to pray for Mr. Matthews.