Joseph William Tobin
Stored: Joseph William Tobin
| His Eminence Joseph William Tobin | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Newark | |
| Home diocese: | Archdiocese of Detroit |
| Other diocese 1: | Archdiocese of Indianapolis |
| Other diocese 2: | Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life (Secretary) |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 1 June 1978 by Archbishop John Francis Dearden |
| Consecration: | 9 October 2010 by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 19 November 2016 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Joseph William Tobin 3 May 1952 Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Holy Redeemer College, Mount Saint Alphonsus Seminary, Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Motto: | "Gaudete in Domino" (Rejoice in the Lord) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | North America |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Joseph William Tobin, C.Ss.R. (born May 3, 1952), is an American Catholic prelate and cardinal who has served as Archbishop of Newark since 2017. A member of the Redemptorist order, Tobin is a prominent progressive voice in the U.S. Church, advocating for immigrants, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and women’s leadership roles, aligning closely with Pope Francis’ pastoral vision. Elevated to cardinal in 2016, he has held significant Vatican roles, including secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life (2010–2012), and is a member of the Congregation for Bishops and the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura. His fluency in five languages and global experience, including challenging Vatican policies on women religious, have positioned him as a potential “kingmaker” in the 2025 papal conclave, though his American nationality and progressive stance make his own election unlikely.[1][2][3][4]
Ordained a priest in 1978, Tobin served in Detroit and Chicago parishes before leading the Redemptorists as superior general (1997–2009). Appointed Archbishop of Indianapolis (2012–2016), he gained attention for defying then-Governor Mike Pence on refugee resettlement. As Archbishop of Newark, he welcomed an LGBTQ+ pilgrimage in 2017 and supported the 2023 Fiducia Supplicans declaration on same-sex blessings. At 72, Tobin is a key figure in the 2025 conclave, set to begin May 7, following Pope Francis’ death, with observers noting his influence due to his progressive credentials and friendship with Francis, though his American background and openness about past alcoholism may temper his papabile prospects.[5][6]
Biography
Birth and early life
Joseph William Tobin was born on May 3, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, the eldest of 13 children of Joseph W. Tobin and Marie Terese Kerwin, Irish immigrants from County Kerry. Raised in a devout Catholic family, he was baptized at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Redemptorist parish, which profoundly influenced his vocation. His childhood in southwest Detroit was marked by a strong community spirit, attending Holy Redeemer Elementary School, where he first felt called to the priesthood.[1][7]
Tobin’s early life was shaped by his parents’ faith and the Redemptorists’ missionary zeal. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory College in Edgerton, Wisconsin, in 1970, a Redemptorist high school, where his sense of service deepened. His large family and working-class roots instilled resilience and compassion, traits evident in his later advocacy for marginalized groups.[1][8]
Education
Tobin began his formation at Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, Wisconsin, earning a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy in 1975. He pursued theological studies at Mount Saint Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, New York, obtaining a Master’s in Religious Education (1977) and a Master of Divinity (1979). Later, he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, enhancing his theological and linguistic skills, becoming fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese.[1][2][7]
His education was both academic and pastoral. During seminary, Tobin served in Redemptorist parishes, grounding his studies in practical ministry. His multilingual proficiency and global exposure in Rome prepared him for Vatican roles and his later leadership in diverse dioceses like Newark, with its 1.3 million Catholics.[7][3]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on June 1, 1978, by Archbishop John Francis Dearden for the Redemptorist order, Tobin served as assistant priest (1979–1984) and pastor (1984–1990) at Holy Redeemer Parish in Detroit, also acting as episcopal vicar for the Archdiocese of Detroit (1980–1986). He later pastored St. Alphonsus Parish in Chicago (1990–1991). Elected superior general of the Redemptorists in 1997, he led the order’s 6,000 members globally until 2009.[1][2]
Tobin’s priesthood blended pastoral care with leadership. His Detroit and Chicago ministries focused on immigrant communities, reflecting Redemptorist charisms. As superior general, he engaged with global Church issues, meeting then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (future Pope Francis) at the 2005 Synod on the Eucharist, forging a lasting connection.[1][5]
Bishop
Appointed secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and titular Archbishop of Obba by Pope Benedict XVI on August 2, 2010, Tobin was consecrated on October 9, 2010, by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. His tenure was brief, marked by tensions over the Vatican’s treatment of U.S. women religious, leading to his reassignment as Archbishop of Indianapolis (2012–2016). Named Archbishop of Newark in 2016 and cardinal in 2017 by Pope Francis, Tobin has led with a progressive vision, welcoming LGBTQ+ pilgrims and supporting Fiducia Supplicans (2023).[1][2][7]
In Newark, Tobin defied restrictive immigration policies, notably accompanying an undocumented immigrant to a deportation hearing in 2017. His advocacy for women’s roles, including suggesting a female cardinal, and his openness about overcoming alcoholism (sober over 30 years) underscore his pastoral style. In 2025, at 72, he is a key figure in the conclave, with sources noting his influence despite slim chances of election due to his American nationality.[8][6][4]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life | Secretary (Titular Archbishop of Obba) | 2 August 2010 | 18 October 2012 | Oversaw global religious orders |
| Archdiocese of Indianapolis | Archbishop | 18 October 2012 | 7 November 2016 | Defied Governor Pence on refugee resettlement |
| Archdiocese of Newark | Archbishop | 7 November 2016 | Present | Elevated to cardinal in 2016, welcomed LGBTQ+ pilgrimage |
Significant events
- Professed vows as a Redemptorist in 1973.[2]
- Ordained priest by Archbishop John Dearden in 1978.[1]
- Elected superior general of the Redemptorists in 1997.[1]
- Appointed secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life in 2010.[1]
- Consecrated titular Archbishop of Obba in 2010.[2]
- Named Archbishop of Indianapolis in 2012.[7]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2016.[1]
- Appointed Archbishop of Newark in 2016.[7]
- Welcomed LGBTQ+ pilgrimage to Newark cathedral in 2017.[8]
- Supported Fiducia Supplicans declaration on same-sex blessings in 2023.[8]
- Participated in 2025 papal conclave preparations, noted as a potential “kingmaker.”[3][4]
Books
Written about the bishop
- No specific biographies dedicated to Cardinal Tobin were identified in the provided sources. General references include:
- Books on the American Catholic Church (potential sources for contextual information).
Written by the bishop
- No books authored by Cardinal Tobin were identified in the provided sources. He has issued pastoral letters and articles, such as a 2021 Commonweal column on synodality, but no published books are documented.[5]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "Joseph W. Tobin". Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_W._Tobin.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Cardinal Joseph William Tobin". Vatican Press. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinals_bio_tobin_jw.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Could New Jersey’s Cardinal Tobin be the next pope?". NorthJersey.com. 2025-04-25. https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/religion/2025/04/25/cardinal-tobin-could-play-key-role-conclave-pope-francis/73437317007/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Posts found on X, April 2025
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Papal front-runner: American Cardinal Tobin now a contender". National Catholic Reporter. 2025-04-28. https://www.ncronline.org/news/papal-front-runner-once-outs-american-cardinal-tobin-now-contender.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "10 American cardinal electors to vote on new pope". USA Today. 2025-04-21. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/04/21/american-cardinals-vote-pope-francis-death/73437317007/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 "Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin". Archdiocese of Newark. https://www.rcan.org/cardinal-joseph-tobin.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Could a Michigan native be the next pope?". Detroit Free Press. 2025-04-23. https://www.freep.com/story/news/2025/04/23/cardinal-joseph-tobin-michigan-pope-candidate/73437317007/.