A Roman Catholic bishop who admitted to knowing about incidents of child sexual abuse but did nothing has deemed LGBTQ Pride Month “harmful for children.”
Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Providence, R.I., tweeted Saturday that Catholics should not support or attend events for Pride Month.
“They promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to Catholic faith and morals,” he wrote. “They are especially harmful for children.”
In 2018, Tobin acknowledged that he “became aware of incidents of sexual abuse when they were reported to the diocese” between 1992 and 1996 in Pittsburgh when he was the auxiliary bishop of that city, according to The Providence Journal.
He said, however, that reporting the allegations was not his responsibility.
“My responsibilities as Vicar General and General Secretary of the diocese did not include clergy assignments or clergy misconduct, but rather other administrative duties such as budgets, property, diocesan staff, working with consultative groups, etc. Even as an auxiliary bishop, I was not primarily responsible for clergy issues,” he said in an email statement to the Journal.
In January, a grand jury investigation in Pennsylvania released the names of more than 1,000 priests accused of sexually abusing children.
June is Pride Month. This year’s events mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, widely considered the beginning of the gay rights movement.
Tobin’s tweet drew thousands of comments, including from some prominent figures such as actress Mia Farrow and author Roxane Gay, chastising him for it.
“Kids are in far more danger at a catholic church than at a gay pride gathering,” Farrow wrote.
“God doesn’t like you,” Gay noted.
Ellen Kahn, director of youth and families programs at the Human Rights Campaign, called the comment a “poisonous remark targeting LGBTQ people.”
“Pride month serves as a powerful reminder that LGBTQ people and their allies, all created in the image of God, are affirmed, celebrated and loved — even when there are still clergy who seek to deny them their humanity,” Kahn said in a statement to the Daily News.
Following the swift backlash, Tobin released a statement Sunday.
“I regret that my comments yesterday about Pride Month have turned out to be so controversial in our community, and offensive to some, especially the gay community. That certainly was not my intention, but I understand why a good number of individuals have taken offense. I also acknowledge and appreciate the widespread support I have received on this matter,” Tobin said. “The Catholic Church has respect and love for members of the gay community, as do I. Individuals with same-sex attraction are beloved children of God and our brothers and sisters. “
He added that he hoped those attending a rally in Providence later would have a “safe, positive and productive experience.”
“As they gather I will be praying for a rebirth of mutual understanding and respect in our very diverse community,” he concluded.
