A Catholic bishop has issued public comments rebuking Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, who is Catholic, for his pro-abortion position.Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island described Giuliani's position on abortion as "pathetic," "confusing," and "hypocritical."
The critique came in his weekly column 'Without A Doubt' that runs in 'The Rhode Island Catholic' newspaper.
In his column Bishop Tobin exposes the hypocrisy of the "personally opposed, but ... " position employed by many Catholic politicians.
"Rudy's explanation is a classic expression of the position on abortion we have heard from weak-kneed politicians so frequently in recent years: 'I'm personally opposed to but don't want to impose my views on other people.' The incongruity of that position has been exposed many times now," Tobin writes.
"[His] public proclamations on abortion are pathetic and confusing. Even worse, they're hypocritical," he concludes.
Tobin makes it clear that Giuliani's pro-abortion position disqualifies him from receiving his support.
"I would never support a candidate who supports legalized abortion," Tobin said.
The column goes on to cite John Paul the II in his encyclical 'The Gospel of Life,' and a recent pronouncement from the Bishops of the United States on the obligations of Catholic politicians to defend human life.
"Rudy’s preposterous position is compounded by the fact that he professes to be a Catholic," Tobin writes.
"As Catholics, we are called, indeed required, to be pro-life, to cherish and protect human life as a precious gift of God from the moment of conception until the time of natural death. As a leader, as a public official, Rudy Giuliani has a special obligation in that regard," the bishop added.
Joseph Cella, the head of the Catholic pro-life group Fidelis, thanked the bishop for his strong remarks.
"Bishop Tobin's words serve as an authoritative and unambiguous reminder to Giuliani and all Catholic politicians of their moral obligations as Catholic public leaders to defend human life," he said.
"His column also offers yet more support to the argument why faithful Catholics should reject Giuliani's candidacy."
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