You may remember Rep. Patrick Kennedy's comments from a couple of weeks ago -- saying that the Church was "fanning the flames of dissent and discord" in the health care debate -- which earned him a rebuke from his ordinary, Bishop Tobin of Rhode Island.

Kennedy later backtracked somewhat, but he couldn't resist adding, "The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic." Bishop Tobin has once again responded, with admirable patience:

Your letter also says that your faith “acknowledges the existence of an imperfect humanity.” Absolutely true. But in confronting your rejection of the Church’s teaching, we’re not dealing just with “an imperfect humanity” – as we do when we wrestle with sins such as anger, pride, greed, impurity or dishonesty. We all struggle with those things, and often fail.

Your rejection of the Church’s teaching on abortion falls into a different category – it’s a deliberate and obstinate act of the will; a conscious decision that you’ve re-affirmed on many occasions. Sorry, you can’t chalk it up to an “imperfect humanity.” Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members. It absolutely diminishes your communion with the Church.

Congressman Kennedy, I write these words not to embarrass you or to judge the state of your conscience or soul. That’s ultimately between you and God. But your description of your relationship with the Church is now a matter of public record, and it needs to be challenged. I invite you, as your bishop and brother in Christ, to enter into a sincere process of discernment, conversion and repentance. It’s not too late for you to repair your relationship with the Church, redeem your public image, and emerge as an authentic “profile in courage,” especially by defending the sanctity of human life for all people, including unborn children.

The whole letter is worth a read. Tobin certainly doesn't let Kennedy off the hook for his remarks, but the bishop's argument is, above all, charitable and thoughtful; it's quite clear that he wants reconciliation, not condemnation. Seems the perfect example of the kind of civility in disagreement that Joseph was wondering about yesterday.

UPDATE: AP is reporting that Kennedy is not as impressed with Bishop Tobin's remarks:

U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy says recent comments by Rhode Island's Roman Catholic bishop questioning the congressman's faith because of his stance on abortion and health care reform were "very disconcerting."

Kennedy, a Catholic and congressman from Rhode Island, had planned to meet Thursday with Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin to discuss a simmering conflict between them. But the bishop's office announced that the meeting was postponed indefinitely.

Kennedy said Tuesday that the bishop had not kept an agreement not to debate the issue in public in terms of Kennedy's personal faith.