AOH leader - Kennedy must respect Church

In a statement to the national leadership of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest and most active Irish American organization, immediate Past National President Jack Meehan emphasizes that Rhode Island representative, Congressman Patrick Kennedy is obliged to respect the teachings of the Catholic Church. Though members of the Kennedy clan, including President John Kennedy, have been AOH members, it is not clear if Kennedy himself is a member. - Editor

Statement of Mr. Jack Meehan

"Bishop Tobin’s position was, and is, that he never issued any edict demanding that Rep. Kennedy not take Holy Communion. Rather, he requested in view of Kennedy’s public position, which was, and is, pro-abortion that he do the right thing and not receive Communion. The Catholic Church is very clear on this issue and if Kennedy insists on maintaining his position, he should not be a hypocrite and continue to receive Communion while opposing the Church’s rules concerning abortion.

"U.S. Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA) should never have chimed in and supported Kennedy. Now, we have another supposedly “Catholic” member of Congress who has publicly stated that he supports the abhorrent practice of abortion. With regard to the spineless weasel, Chris Matthews, many believe he should be fired for the reprehensible display of disrespect that he showed toward Bishop Tobin during his recent television interview. Matthews, by the way, is a graduate of Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA and like the two Congressmen professes to be Catholic.

"As the pre-eminent Irish Catholic fraternal organization in the United States, my belief is that the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America should be proud to stand firmly and publicly behind Bishop Tobin in opposing this very serious attack on our Catholic faith by these three public figures."

Jack Meehan

Past National President
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America

Boston, Ma.

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