Bishop restores Mass obligation for Rhode Island Catholics
May 14, 2021
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) The leader of Rhode Island s Roman Catholics has restored the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, which was suspended in March 2020 at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic as in-person services at all houses of worship were suspended.
“It’s time to come home. It’s time to return to Sunday Mass, Diocese of Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin said in a letter released Friday.
The obligation takes effect June 6.
Because the pandemic is still lingering, exceptions will be made for those still at risk from the coronavirus, including “those who are elderly and frail, those who have underlying health conditions, and those who have been advised by their health care providers to avoid public gatherings, Tobin wrote.
By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer
The head of the Vatican s doctrine office is warning U.S. bishops to deliberate carefully and minimize divisions before proceeding with a possible plan to rebuke Roman Catholic politicians such as President Joe Biden for receiving Communion even though they support abortion rights.
The strong words of caution came in a letter from Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Vatican s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, addressed to Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The USCCB will convene for a national meeting June 16, with plans to vote on drafting a document on the Communion issue.
Mar 5, 2021
(Providence, RI) Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee says the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine keeps people out of the hospital and saves lives. Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin says Catholics should avoid that vaccine if possible because it was developed and produced using abortion-derived cells. The governor, who is Catholic, says people can make up their own minds in terms of where they are religiously.
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