Providence, R.I., Jun 1, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The new bishop of Providence had a message of hope for the faithful who packed the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul for his installation Tuesday.
"If our faith is strong, then hope must prevail," said Bishop Thomas Tobin in his homily, in which he also spoke of the sanctity of human life, marriage and the media.
The Providence Journal reported that the bishop cited St. Augustine, who 1,600 years ago spoke of the resilience of the Church in the face of scandal and difficulties, and said: “People look upon the Church and say, 'She is about to die. Soon her very name will disappear. There will be no more Christians; they have had their day.' "
Bishop Tobin referred indirectly to the sexual abuse scandal in his homily, saying: "If we focus on the failures of members of the church and the problems we face -- failures and problems that are real nonetheless -- it's easy to become tired and discouraged."