I was really disappointed by this editorial in last Wednesday's Boston Globe regarding the dispute between Bishop Tobin and Representative Kennedy. So I wrote a letter to the editor which was published on Saturday. The point of my letter is that faith becomes a problem when one disagrees with the position. When one agrees (e.g., slavery) faith informing policy is not an issue and separation of church and state is never mentioned.

I AM disappointed by the Globe’s editorial on the dispute between Bishop Thomas J. Tobin and Representative Patrick Kennedy (Nov. 25). While there are some logical errors, I take specific issue with the incorrect facts and inaccurate comparisons that are frankly appalling when published by a respected news organization.

Abortion is in a different category of church teaching and cannot be compared to capital punishment or war. Catholics believe there is never a situation in which abortion can be morally right (the jargon is “intrinsically evil’’). This has been part of the church’s teaching from the very beginning. Capital punishment and war can be morally right depending on the circumstances. While there are guidelines for applying these teachings, good Catholics can and do disagree on their application.

To imply that a Catholic in public office cannot vote according to his beliefs is preposterous. What politician doesn’t? The Globe has yet to write an editorial criticizing someone who believes abortion is right, because that’s the position of the editorial board. Our Catholic faith tells us that slavery is wrong. Will you write an editorial criticizing Kennedy because his faith informs him of the immorality of slavery? Will you condemn a bishop for standing up to a Catholic politician who believed it was right and accuse him of meddling in politics?

Finally, the Globe said that it “seems likely’’ that Bishop Tobin has singled out Kennedy and has not requested the same of the other Catholic members of the Rhode Island congressional delegation. The fact is only Representative Kennedy has made this dispute public. The Globe owes Bishop Tobin an apology for insinuating something that cannot be substantiated.

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