Kennedy says banned from communion

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., says he has been banned by a Catholic bishop from receiving the sacrament of communion.

Kennedy also asserted that Providence, R.I., Bishop Thomas Tobin has instructed priests in the diocese to not give him communion because the congressman's political stance on abortion doesn't comport with church positions, the Providence Journal reported Sunday.

Kennedy told the newspaper Tobin told him "that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I've taken as a public official," particularly on abortion. The Journal said Kennedy wouldn't say when or how Tobin told him not to take communion and wouldn't reveal whether he has obeyed the bishop's command.

A Tobin spokesman wouldn't discuss if Tobin had banned Kennedy from communion, but did deny that instructions had been issued to priests in the Providence archdiocese.

"Bishop Tobin has never addressed matters relative to public officials receiving Holy Communion with pastors of the diocese," spokesman Michael Guilfoyle said in an e-mailed statement.