Dear Brothers and Sisters:

In his first encyclical as our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, has written a very important and beautiful treatise called “Deus Caritas Est”, or “God is Love”. This encyclical focuses on God’s love for us and our responsibility as a Christian community to share that love with one another. The Pope writes, “Love of neighbor, grounded in love of God, is first and foremost a responsibility of each individual member of the faithful, but is also a responsibility of the entire Church at every level.” Through this letter we are reminded of God’s true love for us and are called to keep His redemptive work alive and active in our world.

In calling this encyclical to your attention it is my hope that you will see that in our community our Church takes its responsibility for charity very seriously and effectively. In so many ways we reach out to people who are in need, spiritually, socially, and educationally, to be certain that all who reach out to us are touched by God’s love. Without a doubt, in the brief time I have been among you, I have witnessed incredible acts of charity and truly faith-filled support for the ministry of the Church.

I am very grateful for all you have done to support the many works of our Church, locally at your parishes, within our diocese, and at the national and international levels as well. As we continue to work together as a community of love and concern, I hope you take heart in the words of our Holy Father, “I wish to offer a special word of gratitude and appreciation for all those who undertake these activities in any way.”

Assuring of my daily prayers of gratitude for the generous support of so many throughout the State of Rhode Island, I am,

Sincerely yours,

Thomas J Tobin
Bishop of Providence