Costa's Remarks About Punishing Catholic Lawmakers Cause Ruckus

Rep. Doreen Costa (R-North Kingstown) was denounced by colleague Rep. Art Handy (D-Cranston) Thursday for her suggestion earlier this week that Bishop Tobin punish Catholic legislators who stray from church doctrine. 

"Tobin shied away when state Rep. Doreen Costa ... suggested he should look for ways to punish Catholic politicians who take votes that contradict church doctrine," WPRI's Ted Nesi reported Tuesday. Tobin was addressing the Rhody Young Republicans.

On Thursday, Handy seized on the suggestion, issuing a blunt response. 

“I am appalled that she is asking the Church to punish so many good Catholic people who support the civil rights of the gay community,” Handy said in a press release. “Unfortunately, her feelings are very symbolic of the Tea Party and right-wing thinking that is so prevalent within the state’s Republican Party Leadership.

In an interview Thursday, Costa said, "I never said that. It didn’t come out of my mouth. I think it was a big understanding."

Costa told the Providence Journal her remarks were aimed at Obamacare and the possibility of taxpayer-funded abortions, not about gay marriage. 

She told the Providence Journal: "My exact words to (to Bishop Tobin) were the Washington delegation should be held accountable for voting for Obamacare, because our tax dollars are going to go into taxpayer-funded abortions," the North Kingstown Republican said. "It had nothing to do with gay marriage whatsoever."

As for Tobin, he shied away from the idea of punishment, according to Nesi.

"It's a complex world and a complex church," Tobin said, adding that on other issues some of those same lawmakers "are very good and very supportive."