Bishop: Merry Christmas -- PATS SUCK!

Nice house, no? With that little banner out front, looks like a sleepy little McManor in suburban Pittsburgh, home of the Steelers (the favorite team of generations of Franciscan capuchins who studied at St. Fidelis Seminary there).

But here's the rub: It's not Steel City. This is the residence of Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, a native Pittsburgher sent to the heart of (the Steelers' AFC archrival) New England Patriots' country as John Paul's last American appointment before his death.

Here's a closer look:

For the rabid Pats faithful, who've become a championship dynasty under coach Bill Belichick -- to the point of taking out my beloved Eagles at last season's Super Bowl in Jacksonville (well, the Birds took themselves out, but still...) -- this is the closest thing to a mortal sin there is.

Well, even though it's bad manners to take your home team to your new assignment, it's good to know that at least one cleric has got bigger things on his brain than the resurgent camauro.


PHOTO: Loggiarazzi

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