Ordained a priest in 1973, Tobin was appointed by Pope John Paul II as bishop of Providence in 2005. A steadfast defender of life, Tobin has received the Defender of the Faith Award from Legatus, the Proudly Pro-Life Award from the National Right to Life Committee, and the Cardinal von Galen Award from Human Life International. He also launched new initiatives to help the needy and refugee and immigrant communities in Rhode Island.
In the diocesan press release, Tobin referenced the homily he delivered at his installation Mass 18 years ago.
“On occasions like this we sometimes say that a bishop takes possession of a diocese. In truth, I think it’s really the other way around — a diocese takes possession of a bishop. In that spirit, today I joyfully and willingly surrender myself to you. I give you my heart and soul. I promise to work hard for you and to do the very best I can. But keenly aware of my own weakness, limitations, and needs, I will also depend on your cooperation, support, and prayers,” Tobin said in his homily.
An outspoken critic of abortion and gender ideology, Tobin was sometimes at the center of debates on social issues. In the press release he also apologized for any mistakes and failures he may have made.
“For the mistakes I’ve made, for my faults and failures, I am deeply sorry. And for those times when some individuals were offended by my words and deeds, I am truly sorry for that too. It can be very difficult to preach the Gospel of Christ, and to carry on the mission of the Church in the world today, but that’s what we are called to do,” he said.
Tobin tweeted this morning that he was deleting his Twitter account.
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