Washington (CNN) -- A dispute over abortion between the only remaining Kennedy in Congress and his Roman Catholic bishop has highlighted the political volatility of the issue and the challenge it presents to the nation's Catholics. "How can you claim to be a Catholic and also support abortion?" Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, Rhode Island, asked Monday, discussing his request that Rep. Patrick Kennedy, a Rhode Island Democrat, stop receiving Holy Communion because of his pro-choice politics. Kennedy went public Sunday about Tobin's request, originally made in a private letter to Kennedy in 2007. Tobin responded with a statement Sunday followed by his television appearance Monday, in which he acknowledged holding Kennedy to a higher standard than an ordinary parishioner because of the congressman's position as a legislator who can shape abortion laws and policy.
@highlight
Rep. Patrick Kennedy's support for abortion rights brings criticism from church
@highlight
Bishop tells Kennedy not to take communion
@highlight
The issue is considered much broader than a public rift between the two men
Thomas Tobin
Tobin
Tobin
Patrick Kennedy holds similar views to his late father, and the dispute with @placeholder festered anew when Kennedy publicly criticized the Catholic Church for opposing health care reform that lacked stringent anti-abortion language.
Washington
Requests to Kennedy's offices in @placeholder and Rhode Island for comment Monday went unanswered.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island
Requests to Kennedy's offices in Washington and @placeholder for comment Monday went unanswered.
Catholic
He acknowledged "a difference between someone who is the average @placeholder in the pew ... and someone like the congressman who is in a high-profile position and is in a position to affect legislation on allowing access to abortion."