Bishop Tobin

Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, D.D.

Bishop Emeritus of Providence
Eighth Bishop of Providence
“Strong, Loving, Wise”

Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, D.D., was installed as the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Providence on May 31, 2005 in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence.  Often stating that he was “not ordained to be irrelevant,” Bishop Tobin has championed many social justice causes during his episcopacy.

Biography
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was born on April 1, 1948. He began his seminary studies at Saint Mark Seminary High School, Erie and went on to Gannon University in Erie and St. Francis University in Loretto from which he graduated in 1969. He continued his seminary formation in Rome at the Pontifical North American College studying at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He also pursued graduate studies at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of San Anselmo in Rome.

Bishop Tobin was ordained a priest in July 1973 and soon after served as an assistant pastor at various parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. He was named administrative secretary to the former Bishop of Pittsburgh and later became Vicar General and General Secretary. He was named Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh by Pope John Paul II in November 1992 and was ordained to the Episcopacy on December 27, 1992. Bishop Tobin was installed as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio in 1996. In March 2005, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Tobin the eighth Bishop of Providence. He was installed as Bishop of Providence in May 2005 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.

Well known for his staunch pro-life stance, Bishop Tobin has received several prestigious honors including 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 has also extended the charitable outreach of the Diocese of Providence with initiatives such as “Keep the Heat On” heating assistance program, Emmanuel House emergency shelter for the homeless, by providing bus passes for those in need of transportation services, and as an advocate for the refugee and immigrant community in Rhode Island.

Bishop Tobin is the recipient of an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, St. Francis University, in Loretto, PA. He has served as a member of the board of trustees for Salve Regina University in Newport, RI and Catholic University in Washington D.C. and currently serves in that capacity at Providence College. Bishop Tobin has published two books, and up through the summer of 2018, he wrote his popular and award winning bi-weekly column, “Without a Doubt,” in the diocesan newspaper, The Rhode Island Catholic. Beginning September 2018, Bishop has authored a new column in the Rhode Island Catholic called, 'The Imitation of Christ.'

On May 1, 2023, Pope Francis Accepted the Retirement of Bishop Thomas J. Tobin and Bishop Richard G. Henning Succeeded him as Bishop of Providence - read more.

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