Thomas Joseph Tobin

Styles of Thomas Tobin
Reference style	The Most Reverend
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Religious style	Monsignor

Thomas Joseph Tobin (born April 1, 1948) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He serves as the eighth and current Bishop of Providence.

Biography

Early life and ordination

Thomas Tobin was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and studied at St. Mark Seminary High School and Gannon University, both in Erie, before entering St. Francis University in Loretto where he received his BA in 1969 ^[1] and the Pontifical North American College and Pontifical Gregorian University, both in Rome. He also pursued his graduate studies at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of San Anselmo in Rome.

Tobin was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Vincent Leonard on July 21, 1973, and then served as an assistant pastor at St. Vitus Parish in New Castle until 1979. From 1979 to 1984, he was an assistant pastor at St. Sebastian Parish in Ross Township, later becoming administrative secretary to Bishop Anthony Bevilacqua, Associate General Secretary of the Diocese of Pittsburgh (1987), and Vicar General and General Secretary (1990).

Bishop

On November 3, 1992, Tobin was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh and Titular Bishop of Novica by Pope John Paul II. He received his episcopal consecration on December 27, 1992, from then-Bishop Donald Wuerl, with Bishops Anthony Bosco and Nicholas C. Dattilo serving as co-consecrators. Tobin was later named Bishop of Youngstown, Ohio, on December 5, 1995 (installed on February 6, 1992). In 1997, he was given an honorary doctorate from his alma mater of St. Francis University.

Pope John Paul II appointed Tobin Bishop of Providence, Rhode Island, on March 31, 2005; he was installed on May 31, 2005. Bishop Tobin currently sits on the Board of Trustees of Providence College and of Salve Regina University. He also maintains a column for his diocesan newspaper entitled "Without A Doubt". The Without a Doubt columns have been published in two books authored by the Bishop: Without a Doubt: Bringing Faith to Life and Effective Faith: Faith that Makes a Difference.

Views

Tobin also became embroiled in a public dispute with Rhode Island Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy over the Congressman's support for abortion rights during the Health Care debate. Kennedy claimed that Tobin barred him from the sacrament of Holy Communion, while Tobin claimed it was simply a confidential request that was made years prior.^[2]

Bishop Tobin is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and displays a Steeler banner on his residence during each game day.^[3]

Tobin has taken the Catholic Church's position with regard to same-sex marriage. Upon President Obama's announced support for gay marriage, Tobin claimed it was "a sad day in American history".^[4] His views on Catholic morality and voting have included the concept that voting for a pro-choice/Feminist/pro-LGBTQQ candidate is morally unacceptable. The Bishop has also stated that "the Catholic Church has respect, love and pastoral concern for our brothers and sisters who have same-sex attraction. I sincerely pray for God’s blessings upon them, that they will enjoy much health, happiness and peace."^[5]

References

External links

• Diocese of Providence
• Catholic-Hierarchy
• Book: Effective Faith: Faith that Makes a Difference
• Without a Doubt Column Archive