The Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin, D.D.
Bishop of Providence
"Strong, Loving, Wise"
The Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin, D.D., was born on April 1, 1948, the Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended St. Teresa of Avila Grade School, Perrysville, before entering Saint Mark Seminary High School, Erie. His seminary training continued at Gannon College in Erie, St. Francis College in Loretto from which he graduated in 1969, and finally at North American College in Rome with study at the Gregorian University. He also pursued graduate studies at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of San Anselmo in Rome.
Ordained a priest by Bishop Vincent M. Leonard on July 21, 1973, Bishop Tobin then served as assistant pastor at St. Vitus Parish, New Castle, until 1979 and as assistant pastor at St. Sebastian Parish, Ross Township, from 1979-1984. He was named administrative secretary to former Pittsburgh Bishop Anthony J. Bevilacqua in 1984 and then Associate General Secretary of the Diocese in 1987, and in 1990 became Vicar General and General Secretary.
Bishop Tobin was named Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh and Titular Bishop of Novica by Pope John Paul II on November 3, 1992. He was ordained to the Episcopacy on December 27, 1992. Bishop Thomas J. Tobin was installed as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, February 2, 1996, in St. Columba Cathedral.
Bishop Tobin was named eighth Bishop of Providence by Pope John Paul II on March 31, 2005. Bishop Tobin was installed as Bishop of Providence on May 31, 2005 in Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral.
Currently, Bishop Tobin serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Providence College, Providence and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Salve Regina University, Newport.
In 1997, Bishop Tobin was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from his Alma Mater, St. Francis College, Loretto, Pennsylvania.
Bishop Tobin writes a popular column, "Without A Doubt," for his diocesan newspaper. The column received special recognition at the 1998 Catholic Press Association Convention, and in 2000 was selected as best in the nation. Bishop Tobin's articles have also appeared in other periodicals including New Covenant, Pastoral Life, The Priest, Lay Witness, Sacerdos, and Be. His book, "Without a Doubt," a collection of his columns, has been published by Emmaus Road Publishing, Steubenville, Ohio.
Bishop Tobin continues his weekly column, "Without a Doubt," in the Rhode Island Catholic newspaper. Read his archived articles.
To learn about Bishop Tobin's Coat of Arms, click here.
Bishop Tobin's Motto: "Strong, Loving, Wise" is from II Timothy 1:7, "I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God bestowed when my hands were laid on you. The Spirit God has given us is no cowardly spirit, but rather one that makes us strong, loving, and wise."
Outsiders do not ordinarily get access to the upper levels of the Roman Catholic Church, but beginning in October 2006, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin welcomed Journal staff writer G. Wayne Miller and Journal photographer Mary Murphy deep inside the Diocese of Providence, which covers all of Rhode Island, America’s most heavily Catholic state. The result is a rare journey through a church, a diocese, and the life of a man. (Providence Journal)
Read G. Wayne Miller's An American Bishop: Inside the World of One Cathedral Square here.
