Bishop Tobin holds day of prayer in response to recent clergy abuse claims
By: Chloe Leshner
cleshner@abc6.com
@ChloeLeshner
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A day of prayer and penance in Providence in response to recent clergy abuse claims. Today’s mass was met with some opposition a small group of Catholics calling for Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin to resign.
When the diocese announced this day of prayer weeks ago they said Bishop Tobin would be able to speak with reporters. ABC 6 News wanted to get his response to those calls for his resignation but today, he wouldn’t answer questions, saying the day should be only about prayer.
Bishop Thomas Tobin holding a day of prayer and fasting, he says to make up for his mistakes and those of other clergy members.
‘We come first of all to ask gods forgiveness of our sins especially the sins of sexual abuse committed against children and youth in our diocese across the country and around the world," said Bishop Tobin in his homily.
This comes after a grand jury report in Pennsylvania found hundreds of priests had sexually abused thousands of kids others helping to cover it up. Bishop Tobin was an auxiliary bishop in Pennsylvania during that time. Parishioners say Bishop Tobin admitted to knowing about abuse happening in Pittsburgh but told them it wasn’t in his job duties to report it.
"Somebody had come to him that they had been abused. He sent that person to the proper person to take care of it but he didn’t follow up himself," says Pam Atkinson.
That excuse, not enough for a small group of Catholics protesting outside.
"He needs to come forward and face facts, and take care of the children, protect the children," says Rhoda Northrup.
"You have violated the trust. We will ask you to resign today Bishop," says Vincent Coccoli.
Bishop Tobin said in his homily that prayer is not enough to right these wrongs.
"He may have fallen short on that and I think he understands he may have fallen short," says Atkinson
The Pope gathered U.S. Bishops earlier this week to discuss the crisis. He’s summoning Bishops from around the world for a meeting on sexual abuse in February.
(C) WLNE/ABC 6 2018
