Providence Bishop appears on Fox News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin took his ongoing feud with Rhode Island Representative Patrick Kennedy to the national stage Tuesday night, appearing on "The O'Reilly Factor" on the Fox News Channel.

During the interview, Bishop Tobin called on Congressman Kennedy to "live up to his faith," and "accept the teachings of the Catholic Church."

The public dispute began in October, when Congressman Kennedy criticized church leaders for opposing health care reform unless it contains aborting restrictions. Bishop Tobin demanded that Kennedy apologize for his remarks.

Over the weekend, it was revealed that Bishop Tobin had asked Kennedy back in 2007 not to receive Holy Communion, because he supported abortion rights.

"If your job gets in the way of that, then you need to quit your job to save your soul," Bishop Tobin said during Tuesday night's interview.

Some lawmakers have come to Kennedy's defense, accusing church leaders of trying to influence legilsative decisions.