RI Bishop Switches Parties Over Gay Rights, Abortion

The Roman Catholic bishop of Providence says he has become a registered Republican.

Bishop Thomas Tobin spoke Tuesday night at a meeting of Rhode Island's Young Republicans.

He says made the decision to switch his party affiliation from Democrat after the 2012 Democratic national convention, because he could not be associated with that party's views on abortion and same-sex marriage.

He expressed disappointment with many Catholic politicians and said they "let us down" by allowing gay marriage to become law in Rhode Island. He also called the law a personal failure for him.

The bishop defended his political activism, saying he takes the teachings of the church and applies them to current issues.