A nasty piece of divisiveness from Bishop Tobin, after civil marriage equality became law: 
 
 At this moment of cultural change, it is important to affirm the teaching of the Church, based on God’s word, that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2357) and always sinful. And because “same-sex marriages” are clearly contrary to God’s plan for the human family, and therefore objectively sinful, Catholics should examine their consciences very carefully before deciding whether or not to endorse same-sex relationships or attend same-sex ceremonies, realizing that to do so might harm their relationship with God and cause significant scandal to others. 
 
 This is putting a wedge between Catholic family members and their gay brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. It also fails to address any of the questions raised by the marriage equality debate: in particular, what should civil society do with respect to a critical mass of gay citizens? The Church’s answer is: nothing. All they have is calling our orientation “intrinsically disordered” and our families “clearly contrary to God’s plan” in a way they would never use with respect to, say, civilly divorced Catholics or those using contraception. They frame it with this perspective: 
 
 As I have emphasized consistently in the past, the Catholic Church has respect, love and pastoral concern for our brothers and sisters who have same-sex attraction. I sincerely pray for God’s blessings upon them, that they will enjoy much health, happiness and peace. 
 
 But they are allowed no happiness routinely granted as central to heterosexuals: a loving, stable relationship and home. Take the right to a stable home away, and you do not bring health, happiness and peace. You bring sickness, depression and pain. And the reason some in the hierarchy still do not see this is because they cannot yet see gay people as human beings, with dignity. And that is what is “intrinsically disordered” from a Christian point of view. ||||| PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Bishop of Providence Thomas Tobin said Thursday he was "profoundly disappointed" that Rhode Island leaders have decided to allow same-sex marriage and warned Catholics to think hard before going to the weddings of local gays and lesbians. 
 
 "Catholics should examine their consciences very carefully before deciding whether or not to endorse same-sex relationships or attend same-sex ceremonies, realizing that to do so might harm their relationship with God and cause significant scandal to others," Tobin wrote in a pastoral letter to the faithful released on Thursday afternoon. 
 
 Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed a bill Thursday evening that will allow same-sex marriages to take place in Rhode Island beginning Aug. 1. 
 
 Rhode Island is both one of the most Roman Catholic states in the country and one of the most politically Democratic. There are about 621,000 Catholics in the Diocese of Providence, according to the Official Catholic Directory, although a diocesan spokesman said it's difficult to obtain an exact number. 
 
 Tobin urged Rhode Island's Catholics to engage in "a moment of prayer and reflection" in light of the gay-marriage bill's expected signing "as we respond to this new challenge of the post-Christian era into which, clearly, we have now entered." 
 
 While leaders in more liberal religious denominations have supported the drive to legalize same-sex marriage, Tobin on Thursday reiterated the Catholic Church's official teaching that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered," describing same-sex marriage as "clearly contrary to God’s plan for the human family, and therefore objectively sinful." 
 
 "The Catholic Church has fought very hard to oppose this immoral and unnecessary proposition, and we are most grateful to all those who have courageously joined us in this effort," he wrote. "When all is said and done, however, we know that God will be the final judge of our actions." The Church made an unsuccessful bid to have lawmakers call a voter referendum on same-sex marriage instead. 
 
 The bishop also emphasized that the Catholic Church "has respect, love and pastoral concern for our brothers and sisters who have same-sex attraction. I sincerely pray for God’s blessings upon them, that they will enjoy much health, happiness and peace." Some Vatican officials, reportedly including Pope Francis when he was in Argentina, have suggested supporting civil unions for gays. 
 
 The late Pope John Paul II appointed Tobin as the eighth Bishop of Providence just three days before his death in April 2005. Tobin, 65, has since emerged as perhaps the most high-profile opponent of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island. He also clashed with former Congressman Patrick Kennedy over the Democrat's support for abortion rights. 
 
 Same-sex marriage has divided top Catholics at the State House. All four of the Senate's leading Democrats are Catholic, and three of them - Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, Senate Majority Leader Dominick Ruggerio and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Michael McCaffrey - voted against the bill last week. 
 
 But the fourth - Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin - voted in favor of same-sex marriage after delivering an impassioned speech about the difficulty she'd had reconciling her devout Catholic faith with her affection for the gays and lesbians in her life, though she criticized advocates for "mocking" her beliefs. 
 
 "Despite this serious regression in the public morality of our state we need to recognize that there are other major issues that demand our attention," Tobin wrote in Thursday's letter. "We must continue to engage our culture, remembering that Jesus called us to be 'the salt of the earth and the light of the world.'" 
 
 Ted Nesi ( tnesi@wpri.com ) covers politics and the economy for WPRI.com and writes the Nesi's Notes blog. Follow him on Twitter: @tednesi ||||| As the Rhode Island General Assembly prepares to pass “same-sex marriage” legislation and the Governor scheduled to sign the bill this afternoon, Bishop Tobin offers the following pastoral letter to Catholics in Rhode Island. The contents of this letter will be printed in the May 9, 2013 edition of Rhode Island Catholic Newspaper. 
 
 My dear Brothers and Sisters, 
 
 Since the legislative approval of “same-sex marriage” in Rhode Island, a number of people have requested that I offer some guidance on this development. It is for that purpose that I write at this time. In particular I wish to invite members of the Catholic Church in Rhode Island to a moment of prayer and reflection as we respond to this new challenge of the post-Christian era into which, clearly, we have now entered. 
 
 First, like many others, I am profoundly disappointed that Rhode Island has approved legislation that seeks to legitimize “same-sex marriage.” The Catholic Church has fought very hard to oppose this immoral and unnecessary proposition, and we are most grateful to all those who have courageously joined us in this effort. When all is said and done, however, we know that God will be the final judge of our actions. 
 
 As I have emphasized consistently in the past, the Catholic Church has respect, love and pastoral concern for our brothers and sisters who have same-sex attraction. I sincerely pray for God’s blessings upon them, that they will enjoy much health, happiness and peace. We also offer our prayerful support to families, especially parents, who often struggle with this issue when it occurs in their own homes. 
 
 Our respect and pastoral care, however, does not mean that we are free to endorse or ignore immoral or destructive behavior, whenever or however it occurs. Indeed, as St. Paul urges us, we are required to “speak the truth in love.” (Eph 4:15) 
 
 At this moment of cultural change, it is important to affirm the teaching of the Church, based on God’s word, that “homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2357) and always sinful. And because “same-sex marriages” are clearly contrary to God’s plan for the human family, and therefore objectively sinful, Catholics should examine their consciences very carefully before deciding whether or not to endorse same-sex relationships or attend same-sex ceremonies, realizing that to do so might harm their relationship with God and cause significant scandal to others. 
 
 Despite this serious regression in the public morality of our state we need to recognize that there are other major issues that demand our attention. We must continue to engage our culture, remembering that Jesus called us to be “the salt of the earth and the light of the world.” (Mt 5:13-14) Be assured, therefore, that the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Providence will continue its mission of preaching the Gospel, advocating for what is right and just, and serving the needs of our community to the very best of our ability. 
 
 Without a doubt this is a time of challenge, even disappointment for many of us, but it is also an opportunity to be steadfast and courageous, and to renew our commitment to Christ and His Church. As our Lord Jesus Christ told us, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (Jn 16:33) 
 
 Dear brothers and sisters, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary, may God be with you as you continue your journey of faith, and may He bless you and your families with His finest gifts, now and always. 
 
 What do you think of the passage of “same-sex marriage” in Rhode Island? Send a letter to the editor of Rhode Island Catholic newspaper at editor@thericatholic.com. ||||| This collection contains official Pacific Union College websites, particularly those associated with the domain name puc.edu. The purpose of this collection is to maintain a record of digitally published information that is necessary to preserve the history of Pacific Union College.
– Providence bishop Thomas Tobin caused a bit of a stir yesterday with a post on the diocese's website responding to Rhode Island's new marriage equality law. Tobin wrote that Catholics should "examine their consciences very carefully before deciding whether or not to endorse same-sex relationships or attend same-sex ceremonies." And while he says the Church has "respect, love, and pastoral concern" for people "who have same-sex attraction," it can't "endorse or ignore immoral or destructive behavior." "It is important to affirm the teaching of the Church … that 'homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered,' (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2357) and always sinful," Tobin writes. At the Dish, Andrew Sullivan calls the letter "a nasty piece of divisiveness" that puts "a wedge between Catholic family members and their gay brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters." Rhode Island is a deeply Catholic state, WPRI points out; the Providence Diocese boasts around 621,000 members, which works out to be more than 60% of the state's population.