Journal photo / Mary Murphy

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin answers questions from projo.com readers during a live chat Monday, Oct. 29, with help from Michael Guilfoyle, communications director for the Providence Diocese, who typed the bishop's responses.

As part of his ongoing series, An American Bishop: Inside the World of One Cathedral Square, Journal staff writer G. Wayne Miller hosted the Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, bishop of the Diocese of Providence, for a hour-long live chat on Monday, Oct. 29.

More than 40 readers participated live, and more than 45 readers posted questions in advance.

Here is the transcript.

G. Wayne Miller: Hello, everyone

G. Wayne Miller: Bishop Tobin is here with us now

Moderator: This first question was submitted in advance by a reader: I would like to ask "How committed are you to helping the poor?"

Bishop Tobin: My first response would be that I am not sure if you are talking about me personally or about the Diocese of Providence. But, I hope in both cases, the response is that we are very commited to helping the poor. I try to do that with my personal resources with gifts and donations to charity, but I think that you question is really about the Church in the Diocese of Providence. I have tried to give personal witness to our concern for the poor in lots of specific ways. Such as participating in the march for affordable housing, the Keep the Heat on Campaign (www.heatri.com), which will begin soon, by supporting the Janitors for Justice cause, and by a renewed commitment to our Catholic Charity Fund, which helps thousands of individuals and families throughout the State of Rhode Island. In addition to this, many of the programs and ministries and services of the Church are aimed directly at assisting people who have special needs in their lives.

Moderator: Here’s an other question from a reader: Dear Bishop Tobin, Could you try to explain Mother Teresas crisis of faith. I know that we are all earthen vessels but the letters that she had written show that she spent almost 50 years without sensing the presence of God in her life. Was she too hard on herself? Is this typical of others who became saints

G. Wayne Miller: The bishop is typing his response!

Bishop Tobin: I have not read yet, the book that describes Blessed Mother Teresa's journey of faith. However, we know that it is not unusual for great Saints to have great challenges in their spiritual life. The challenges of faith that we somtimes refer to as a "dark night of the soul" happen precisely because the great Saints were keenly aware of God's prescence in their life and they struggled with all their might to understand and respond to that prescence. I heard recently that Mother Teresa's crisis was not because she doubted God's prescence or her faith, but that she feared that because of her human weakness, she would not be able to respond adequately. It would be wonderful if we all reached that level of sanctity that these questions would be part of our lives as well.

Moderator: we've lost a question and if it is asked again, we'd appreciate it, but the essence of it was, when does Bishop Tobin most experience a sense of awe in his work?

Bishop Tobin: One of the challenges of our daily life is to become more aware of God's presence every day in all that we do. However, without a doubt, the moments that I become most aware of God's presence in my life is during the celebration of the Sacraments and especially the Holy Mass. There, God's presence is made very real in several different ways. In the Word of God, in the Holy Eucharist and even in the assembly gathered together. Those are very special moments of awe for me.

G. Wayne Miller: We have a number of new questiosn and a bunch previously submitted. We're trying to get to as many as we can. Also, the bishop is thoughtfully responding (i.e., takign a few moments on each...)

HEnry: Bishop Tobin, you have lived in a rarified, clerical culture since you were fourteen. Do you think that this kind of life has prepared you to deal with some of the real life dilemmas we who are at the bottom of the church pyramid deal with daily. For example, suppose you were married with children and a gay couple with children moved in next door. Would you put your house on the market, or try to establish some sort of relaltionship with your new neighbors, keeping in mind that the church teaches that gays must be treated with dignity, respects, and charity. Would you let your children play with their children? What if they invited you and your wife for dinner?

Bishop Tobin: It is true that I have been in a 'clerical culture' since I was 14. But during that time, I have not been completely removed from the world. Throughout my life and ministry I have been surrounded by family, friends and associates who have had real problems and challenges in their life. I have also had to deal with lots of real life siutations and problems in my own life. Suggesting that clerics do not deal with normal situations of other people is like suggesting that doctors do not have to deal with illness and disease in their own lives. In response to your particular question, if I were living in a neighborhood and a gay couple moved into the neighborhood, I certainly would not discriminate against them or persecute them. I would not object to my children playing with their children. But I would do my best to teach my children the difference between acceptable sexual behavior and that which is not.

Lisa: I just submitted a question to Bishop Tobin, but can not read it until late this afternoon. I wanted to let you know that while I am enjoying your series, I found several comments rather disrespectful. Your description of the placing of a crucifix around the bishop's neck as "completing the look" was out of line. Your description of the sniggering children asking why the bishop and his secretary wore "dresses" does not merit a place in the series. I hope that their teacher takes the oppportunity to teach them a bit about ecclesiastical garb. It seems, too, that they were ill-mannered and that their teacher should have kept them more in line. No wonder the bishop's secretary was disconcerted! Remember that these little vignettes set a tone for the series..

G. Wayne Miller: My goal was to capture the bishop's life. And these were events I observed, and in the case of the dress, found amusing. So did the bishop, I would note

G. Wayne Miller: As for teaching about garb, the end of that section had the bishop doing jsut that

sherry: I have a 13 year old daughter who is often upset about God answering her prayers with a NO. She is challenging me with thoughts of "God doesn't love me. God doesn't listen to me." She is questioning so any aspects of our faih. How do I answer her when I say God always loves her, and she says no He does not?

Bishop Tobin: First of all, I would suggest that it is not unusual for teenagers to go through periods of questioning and challenging. I suspect that is what your daughter is going through. At the same time, I wonder what in particular her questions are. Has something happened to her? Has she had a bad experience at home in school or in church? While she might be dealing with some personal difficulties, is she also aware of all the gifts and blessings that God has given her and is she grateful for those gifts? The coming celebration of Thanksgiving might be a perfect time for her to think about all the gifts she has received and how much God really does love her. And at the same time, hope you would continue your open conversation with your daughter to see what is really promoting her feelings about God.

Ronald Maguire: Bishop Tobin Why did you say saint kevin would be a middle school run by Hendricken It was in the Journal,the beacon,the news an at church.We still dont know what is going on.Could you please tell us.I do have a son in the 7th.grade at saint kevin. Thank you an may god bless Ronnie Maguire

Bishop Tobin: Our diocesan schools' office in consultation with the local parishes and schools continue to study the situation of Catholic Education in the Warwick area. The original proposal that was presented to me and that I tentatively approved has been put on hold for the moment. Obviously, more study will be needed in the future. In the meantime, we need to deal now with the critical financial situation that exists at St. Kevin's Parish and School. Some important decisions about the parish and the school will have to be made in the near future. I have not received specific recommendations about the school at this time, but I know that the discussions among parish personnel and diocesan personnel are continuing. I know that everyone is doing their best to respond to the challenges that exist at St. Kevin's and I am sure that we will come to a solution that is as helpful as possible.

anna: Some of the Church's positions on social and economic issues are the same as those on the political left with which I disagree. This is the reason that I no longer support the Catholic Charity Fund Drive. To me the Church should not be used by political groups such as those involved in the poverty industry and those involved with aiding and abetting the illegal alien population in the state. Some of us may seek the same goals but differ radically in what we see as the solutions. Where does this leave Catholics who differ politically with our religious leaders?

Bishop Tobin: Thank you for your question Anna. Sometimes the Church is accused of being too liberal. For example, when we support some of the social justice issues to which you refer. Sometimes, however, the Church is accused of being too conservative. For example, when we speak out about abortion, gay marriage and other moral issues. It is important that the Church not follow a liberal agenda or a conservative agenda that would not be Democratic or Republican. Our goal is to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ and implement his teachings to the best of our ability in whatever camp that might seem to put us. Was Jesus Christ a liberal or a conservative? If you read the Gospels carefully, it is very difficult to categorize Christ.

G. Wayne Miller: While the bishop answers another question, let me urge people to visit the extensive online features, if you haven't already. Our online team here did a great job pulling this together and it was fun workign with them

Anne: Wayne, to fulfill the journalistic principle of balance, aren't you going to allow even ONE challenging question of the bishop? You're not his publicist.

G. Wayne Miller: Anne, good point. We have forwarded several "challenging" questions and the bishop should be able to get to them

Joan Lafond: First, I would like to know if you have read the book "90 Minutes in Heaven"?My next question is how do these TV Evangelists are able to fill auditoriums with followers when our local churches are half empty on Sundays? What is wrong with our religion that we cannot fill our churches?

Bishop Tobin: I have not read the book '90 minutes in Heaven'. It seems to me while it is difficult to generalize TV evangelists are filling their auditoriums because they appeal to popular, cultural trends and are sometimes not very challenging in their teaching. The Catholic Church consistently presents a message that can be difficult for people and is not always popular. In addition, many churches and many denominations (not just Catholic) are experiencing similar problems of church attendance. Pope John Paul said that we live in a very secular and athiestic society. I think that is true and getting people to be aware of spiritual and religious values is a challenge for us every day.

Eileen: Dear Bishop Tobin, Might there be the possibliity of a complete financial accounting of incidents of embezzlement that have occurred in the dioceses within the past 20 year, please. I am reluctant to contribute unrestricted money to various very good causes overseen by the dioceses because there sems to be no financial accounting

Bishop Tobin: Thank you for your question Eileen. I am not specifically aware of the incidents of embezzlement that have occured in various dioceses to which you are referring. We know, however, that whenever large amounts of money are present there is always a risk of dishonest behavior. For that reason, the Diocese of Providence has a complete set of fiscal policies and procedures that our parishes and schools are expected to follow. The diocesan financial statements are publically audited and published every year and may also be found on our website at www.dioceseofprovidence.org. While there is never a guarantee that dishonest behavior will be completely prevented, it is a very serious issue and we take every possible precaution to handle our financial resources in a responsible and transparent manner.

ebony: Dear Bishop , how are we doing on Mass attendance in the diocese??

Bishop Tobin: Good question. Sunday Mass attendance continues to be a challenge here as it is throughout the nation. There are many factors that contribute to lack of participation in the Church. Some of them are religious in nature and some of them are sociological. While there are no easy answers to these questions, you might want to know that I have already established a diocesan task force to study the question of Sunday Mass attendance in our diocese and to see if there is anything we can do to respond to this challenge in a positive way. It seems to me that it is a problem that has to be dealt with at the level of the local parish, but I hope that there are ways that the diocese can assist. Please pray for our efforts!

G. Wayne Miller: If anyone has furtehr questions for me or the series, please feel free to email me at gwmiller@projo.com. The bishop is wrapping up with another answer or two, meanwhile

Sr.MaryMonk: Bishop Tobin. I have seen on a number of occasions that judges, lawyers and law enforcement have attended functions in their official capacity at the request or invitation by church officials. Is this intermingling between state and church a violation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution?

Bishop Tobin: First, I need to confess that I am not a constutional lawyer. However, my understanding of the seperation of church and state is not intended to exclude all religious and spiritual influences in our government or society, but rather to prevent the government from interfering in religious practice. When public officials attend religious events, the hope is that they will pray for God's guidance and wisdom in their work. It seems to me that that is a good thing to pray for. And keep in mind that the New Testament does encourage us to pray for public officials.

ebony: Dear Bishop, will we have another class of deacons soon??

Bishop Tobin: First, I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the Permanent Deacons in the diocese. They provide a wonderful and generous service for us. You will be happy to know that we have now begun to study the process of recruiting new deacons for the diocese. It will involve a lot of study and consultation and it will be several years before we can actually ordain a new class of deacons. But, the process has begun.

Bishop Tobin: Thanks to all for your excellent questions. Though we are out of time for today, perhaps I'll find an opportunity to respond to some of the other questions in my regular column in The Rhode Island Catholic (www.thericatholic.com). Blessings and prayers to all. -Bishop Tobin.

G. Wayne Miller: And thanks for reading -- be sure to continue reading, the next three Sundays, ending with the epilogue on Monday, Nov. 19. And thank you, Bishop Tobin, for dropping by 75 Fountain Street!

Moderator: A transcript of this chat will be posted shortly with the rest of this series, An American Bishop: Inside the World of One Cathedral Square, which can be found at www.projo.com/extra/2007/american_bishop/