By Katherine Gregg
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, the head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, has issued this statement on Governor Chafee's midday tree-lighting, with only 30 minutes notice:
"It's very unfortunate that the Governor has caused so much division in the State that he cannot even have a publicly announced Christmas tree lighting ceremony that many of our citizens would enjoy at this beautiful time of the year. I wish that the Governor would respect the heartfelt sentiments of the vast majority of Rhode Islanders and simply call the tree what it is - a Christmas tree.''
The bishop said he looked forward to the lighting of the parish Christmas tree, at St. Patrick's Parish in Providence, at 6 p.m. on Dec. 19.