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Joseph W. Tobin

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Joseph W. Tobin

Cardinal,
Archbishop of Newark
Cardinal Tobin in 2017
ChurchCatholic Church
ArchdioceseNewark
AppointedNovember 7, 2016
InstalledJanuary 6, 2017
PredecessorJohn J. Myers
Other post(s)Cardinal Priest of Santa Maria delle Grazie a Via Trionfale
Ecclesiastical Superior of Turks and Caicos
Previous post(s)
Orders
OrdinationJune 1, 1978
by William Edward Cousins
ConsecrationOctober 9, 2010
by Tarcisio Bertone
Created cardinalNovember 19, 2016
by Pope Francis
RankCardinal Priest
Personal details
Born (1952-05-03) May 3, 1952 (age 72)
Detroit, Michigan,
United States
ParentsJoseph W. Tobin & Marie Terese Kerwin
MottoGaudete in Domino
(Rejoice in the Lord)
Styles of
Joseph W. Tobin
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal
SeeNewark
Ordination history of
Joseph W. Tobin
History
Diaconal ordination
DateApril 30, 1978
Priestly ordination
DateJune 1, 1978
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecratorTarcisio Bertone, SDB
Co-consecratorsFranc Rode, CM
Agostino Vallini
DateOctober 9, 2010
Cardinalate
Elevated byPope Francis
DateNovember 19, 2016

Joseph William Tobin, CSsR, (born May 3, 1952) is an American prelate of the Catholic Church. A member of the Redemptorist order, he has been the Archbishop of Newark since 2017. He previously served as the Archbishop of Indianapolis from 2012 to 2016 and as secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life from 2010 to 2012. He has been a cardinal since November 19, 2016.

Early life and education

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Joseph Tobin was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1952, the oldest of the 13 children of Joseph W. Tobin and Marie Terese Kerwin. He was baptized five days after his birth at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Detroit, founded and administered by the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). He later attended the parochial school at the church.[1]

By the time he had graduated, Tobin felt called to serve as a Catholic priest. He applied to join the Redemptorists, who accepted him as a candidate. He then attended St. Joseph's Preparatory College in Edgerton, Wisconsin, the Redemptorist minor seminar. After graduating from St. Joseph's in 1970, he was received into the Redemptorist novitiate to begin his formation as a member. Tobin made his temporary profession of religious vows as a member of the Redemptorists on August 5, 1972, and his perpetual vows on August 21, 1976.[1]

In 1975, Tobin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, Wisconsin. He then studied at Mount St. Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, New York, earning a Master of Religious Education degree in 1977 and a Master of Divinity degree in pastoral theology in 1979.[1]

Ordination and ministry

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Tobin in 2007

Tobin was ordained a priest for the Redemptorist Order by Archbishop William Cousins at Holy Redeemer College on June 1, 1978. The following year, Tobin returned to Detroit, where he was appointed the parochial vicar of Holy Redeemer Parish. He was later named pastor there, serving from 1984 to 1990. From 1980 to 1986, he served as an episcopal vicar for the Archdiocese of Detroit, and also assisted at the local diocesan marriage tribunal. From 1990 to 1991, Tobin served as pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish in Chicago, Illinois.[2]

The Redemptorists elected Tobin as their general consultor in 1991 and as their superior general in 1997 [1] He began a second term as superior general in 2003. That same year, he was named vice-president of the Union of Superiors General. Tobin also served as a member of the Council for Relations between the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life and the International Union of Superiors General from 2001 to 2009.

In 2005, Tobin participated in a synod of bishops in Rome. He spent a week in a Spanish-language discussion group that included Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, the future Pope Francis.[3]

Tobin took a sabbatical to Blackfriars Hall Priory in Oxford, England in 2010, residing with the De La Salle Brothers. While there, he pursued his interest in the rise of secularization and secular culture, attending seminars by anthropologist Peter B. Clarke, studying at the Las Casas Institute and taking classes at Blackfriars. Tobin speaks English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese.

Roman Curia

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In May 2009, the Vatican named Tobin to oversee the professed men's element of the 2010 Apostolic Visitation of the Church in Ireland. On August 2, 2010, Tobin was appointed secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL)[4][5] and titular archbishop of Obba. Tobin became the second American cleric to head CICLSAL.[a]Tobin learned of his appointment two weeks before the Vatican announced it. He recalled:

I was painting my mom's house in Ontario when the phone rang. The voice on the other end said it was Cardinal Bertone, and my first thought was that it was a prank, … you know, I thought maybe it was one of the Redemptorists fooling around. Quickly, though, I realized that it really was Bertone, and he said that the Holy Father wants you to do this. My first reaction was to tell him that off the top of my head, I could give him the names of five people much more qualified to do this job than I am. I was completely serious about it. But Cardinal Bertone said no, this is what the Holy Father wants. He said I could take a week to ten days to think about it, so I talked to my superiors, my closest friends in religious life, and my spiritual director.[6]

Tobin received his episcopal consecration in Rome on October 9, 2010. He had said:

[My] hope is that the Vatican's relationship with the local churches can be a sort of creative tension. I think life without tension would be very boring and useless. We can't walk, we can't talk, we can't sing without tension. You need to have tension in your vocal chords and your back, let alone a guitar. However, tension can be destructive. The challenge is to recognise the diversity of gifts and the plurality of churches and the one spirit that unites us. And I think that is the adventure of a lifetime.[7]

When Tobin arrived at CICLSAL, it was already conducting a visitation—a critical inspection of ministries and organization—of the 341 institutes of apostolic women religious in the United States.[8] At the same time, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) was conducting a doctrinal assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), focused on its theological orthodoxy.[9]

In December 2010, Tobin said that the Vatican needed to acknowledge the "depth of anger and hurt" among the nuns that was provoked by the CDF visitation, saying it illustrated the need for a "strategy of reconciliation" with women religious.[10] The CDF issued its report on the LCWR in April 2012; Tobin was reportedly unhappy with the report content and the failure of the CDF to consult him before releasing it.[11][12]

Archbishop of Indianapolis

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On October 18, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Tobin as archbishop of Indianapolis, a Catholic community of 246,000.[11] He was installed on December 3, 2012.[13] His reassignment from the Curia had been rumored since Tobin expressed his unhappiness with the CDF's highly critical report on the LCWR in April 2012.[11]

In June 2014, Tobin warned that the ideological polarization of American political life "helps to contribute to the balkanization of American Catholics into so-called right wing and left wing, or progressive and traditionalist, factions, who point fingers at each other". Speaking at a meeting of the College Theology Society, he said that:

"In my opinion, finger pointing does a great harm to religious life because it makes us defensive ... [and] we feel constantly compelled to defend ourselves against other parties in the church."[14]

In May 2016, the Vatican named Tobin to oversee the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a religious community that a Vatican review had found in need of thorough-going reform.[15]

Cardinal

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On October 9, 2016, Francis announced that he would make Tobin a cardinal in a papal consistory on November 19, 2016.[16] On that day, Tobin became a Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria delle Grazie a Via Trionfale.[17] Francis named Tobin a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture on November 11, 2019,[18] a member of the Congregation for Bishops on March 4, 2021[19] and a member of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura on June 21, 2021.[20]

Archbishop of Newark

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Appointment and tenure

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On November 7, 2016, Francis named Tobin as archbishop of Newark, a city which has, like Indianapolis, never before been headed by a cardinal.[21][22][23] He was installed there on January 6, 2017.[24]

Viewpoints

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Capital punishment

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In July 2020, Tobin and several other bishops petitioned President Donald Trump to commute the death sentence of Dustin Honken. He had been convicted in 2004 of murdering five people in Iowa, including two children. Tobin remarked that Honken's execution would "...reduce the government of the United States to the level of a murderer and serve to perpetuate a climate of violence which brutalizes our society in so many ways."[25] Honken was executed later that month.[26]

Immigration

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Tobin is a strong advocate of increased acceptance of migrants into the United States and of a lenient position towards undocumented immigrants. In March 2017, he accompanied 59-year old Catalino Guerrero, an undocumented immigrant, to his deportation hearing. In May 2018, Tobin called on Catholic leaders to resist Trump's immigration policies, saying, "you really have to believe in inflicting cruelty on innocent people to choose to support the policies we've seen in recent months."[27]

Women in the church

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Tobin supports greater roles for women in the Catholic Church. In an interview with The New York Times published on December 22, 2017, Tobin said that he "understand[s] the consternation" among women who find themselves frustrated that they are not permitted to become priests. When asked about the possibility of a female cardinal, he responded, "Maybe my theology isn't sophisticated enough, but I don't believe that there's a compelling theological reason why the pope couldn't name a woman cardinal."[28]

LGBTQ issues

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Tobin welcomed a "pilgrimage" of gay and lesbian Catholics and their families to the archdiocese's cathedral in 2017. In an interview before the Mass, Tobin said, "The word I use is 'welcome'. These are people that have not felt welcome in other places. My prayer for them is that they do. Today in the Catholic Church, we read a passage that says you have to be able to give a reason for your hope. And I'm praying that this pilgrimage for them, and really for the whole Church, is a reason for hope."[29]

In an interview with NBC's Anne Thompson on April 17, 2019, Tobin said: "The Church, I think, is having its own conversation about what our faith has us do and say with people in relationships that are same-sex. What should be without debate is that we are called to welcome them." Tobin was then asked about language in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that refers to homosexuality as "intrinsically disordered." Tobin answered, "Well I don't call them 'intrinsically disordered' ... It's very unfortunate language. Let's hope that eventually that language is a little less hurtful."[30]

Tobin supported the 2017 book called Building a Bridge, by Father James Martin, SJ, which called for the church to modify its relationship with LGBT people. Tobin commented that

"in too many parts of our church, LGBT people have been made to feel unwelcome, excluded, and even shamed. Father Martin's brave, prophetic, and inspiring new book marks an essential step in inviting church leaders to minister with more compassion, and in reminding LGBT Catholics that they are as much a part of our church as any other Catholic."[31]

Clergy sex abuse

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On August 17, 2018, the Catholic News Agency reported that six Newark priests had allegedly experienced sexual misconduct by two priests in seminary and ministry in the archdiocese. Tobin responded with a letter to the archdiocesan priests that the same day, saying that he had been unaware of the issue. He encouraged priests to refer media inquiries to the archdiocesan director of communications.[32][33][34]

On August 25, 2018, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, a former apostolic nuncio to the United States, released a letter describing a series of warnings to the Vatican regarding alleged sexual misconduct by then-cardinal Theodore McCarrick, a predecessor of Tobin in Newark. Viganò claimed that McCarrick "orchestrated" the appointment of Tobin as Archbishop of Newark.[35][36] Tobin denounced Viganò's statement for "factual errors, innuendo and fearful ideology." He said that the letter "cannot be understood as contributing to the healing of survivors of sexual abuse" and called for "guaranteeing a safe and respectful environment where all are welcome and breaking down the structures and cultures that enable abuse."[37]

One journalist claims that in a conversation with Tobin that he said that around the time he came to Newark in 2016 he heard "rumors" about McCarrick having slept with seminarians. However, Tobin chose not to believe them, stating that at the time they seemed too "incredulous" to be true.[38]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ In 1969, Rev. Edward Heston, C.S.C., an Ohio native, was named secretary of the same Congregation by Pope Paul VI.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., D.D." Archdiocese of Newark. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  2. ^ ""Biography of His Eminence, Joseph William Cardinal Tobin, C.Ss.R.", Archdiocese of Newark". Archived from the original on May 6, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  3. ^ Gibson, David (November 18, 2016). "Pope Francis, the ultimate headhunter". National Catholic Reporter. Religion News Service. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
  4. ^ Kohn, Joe (December 2, 2010). "Abp. Tobin visits Redeemer". Michigan Catholic.
  5. ^ "Archbishop-designate Joseph Tobin, tapped for a high Vatican post, says 'I carry southwest Detroit in my Heart'". Detroit Catholic. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Allen, John L. Jr. (August 6, 2010). "Q&A with Fr. Joseph Tobin". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  7. ^ Arco, Anna (September 2, 2010). "'Life without tension would be boring'". Catholic Herald. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  8. ^ Goodstein, Laurie (July 1, 2009). "U.S. Nuns Facing Vatican Scrutiny". New York Times. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  9. ^ "Women religious leadership conference faces investigation for continued 'problems'". Catholic News Agency. April 18, 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
  10. ^ Allen, John L. Jr. (December 7, 2010). "Vatican must hear 'anger and hurt' of American nuns, official says". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  11. ^ a b c O'Connell, Gerard (October 16, 2012). "Pope appoints archbishop Joe Tobin as head of Indianapolis archdiocese". Vatican Insider. Archived from the original on March 6, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  12. ^ McElwee, Joshua J. (April 6, 2013). "Pope appoints Franciscan to religious congregation". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  13. ^ King, Robert (December 3, 2012). "Spread the good word, urges new Archbishop of Indianapolis Joseph W. Tobin". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  14. ^ McElwee, Joshua J. (June 2, 2014). "Archbishop warns of 'balkanization' in US church". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
  15. ^ "Vatican appoints Archbishop Tobin as delegate for Sodalitium reforms". Catholic News Agency. May 13, 2016. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  16. ^ O'Kane, Lydia (October 9, 2016). "Pope announces 17 new Cardinals in consistory". Vatican Radio. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
  17. ^ "Titular churches and diaconates of the new cardinals, 19.11.2016" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  18. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 11.11.2019" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. November 11, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  19. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 04.03.2019" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. March 4, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  20. ^ CNA. "Cardinal Tobin appointed member of Vatican's highest court". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  21. ^ Goodstein, Laurie (November 7, 2016). "Pope Francis Names Joseph Tobin to Lead Archdiocese of Newark". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  22. ^ McElwee, Joshua J. (November 7, 2016). "Francis appoints Indianapolis' Tobin as archbishop of Newark, first cardinal in archdiocese's history". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  23. ^ Mueller, Mark (November 7, 2016). "Who is Newark's new cardinal? An introduction to Joe Tobin". NJ.com. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  24. ^ Barron, James (January 6, 2017). "Cardinal Tobin, New Newark Archbishop, Cites 'Chasm Between Life and Faith'". The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  25. ^ "Cardinal Tobin asks President Donald Trump for clemency in death row execution case". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  26. ^ Crowder, Courtney. "'Hail Mary, Mother of God, pray for me': Iowan Dustin Honken says short prayer before being executed". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  27. ^ Levitt, Shannon (May 17, 2017). "Tobin calls Trump immigration policies 'cruelty on innocent people'". Crux Now. Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
  28. ^ Kristof, Nicholas (December 22, 2017). "Cardinal Tobin, Am I a Christian?". The New York Times. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  29. ^ "As Church Shifts, a Cardinal Welcomes Gays; They Embrace a 'Miracle'". New York Times. April 17, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  30. ^ "How Cardinal Joseph Tobin found his calling in the Catholic Church". Today Show. April 17, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  31. ^ "Cardinal Tobin: Catechism language 'very unfortunate' on homosexuality". April 18, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  32. ^ "Cardinal Tobin denies knowledge of 'gay subculture' in Newark". Catholic News Agency. August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  33. ^ Emma Brockes (August 25, 2018). "Why the Catholic church keeps hitting the wrong note". The Guardian. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  34. ^ "Cardinal Tobin tells priests not to speak to press after 'gay sub-culture' claims". Catholic Herald. Catholic News Agency. August 21, 2018. Archived from the original on August 22, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  35. ^ Pentin, Edward (August 25, 2018). "Ex-nuncio accuses Pope Francis of failing to act on McCarrick's abuse reports". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  36. ^ Horowitz, Jason (August 26, 2018). "Pope Francis Long Knew of Cardinal's Abuse and Must Resign, Archbishop Says". The New York Times. Retrieved August 27, 2018.
  37. ^ "Statement in Response to "Testimony" of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, Former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States". Archdiocese of Newark website. August 27, 2018. Archived from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  38. ^ Kelly, Mike (August 31, 2018). "Kelly: The secret life of Catholic Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and reports of sex abuse". USA Today. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
[edit]
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Juan Manuel Lasso de la Vega y Miranda
Superior General of the Redemptorists
September 9, 1997 – November 4, 2009
Succeeded by
Michael Brehl
Preceded by
Gustavo Rodriguez Vega
— TITULAR —
Titular Archbishop of Obba
August 2, 2010 – October 18, 2012
Succeeded by
Rafał Markowski
Preceded by Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life
August 2, 2010 – October 18, 2012
Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Indianapolis
October 18, 2012 – November 7, 2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Newark
November 7, 2016 –
Incumbent
Ecclesiastical Superior of the Turks and Caicos Islands
November 7, 2016 –
Preceded by Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria delle Grazie a Via Trionfale
November 19, 2016 –