News - Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, D.D. RSS Feed

By Father Nathan Ricci - On a cool Roman morning in November of 1998, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin arrived at the Apostolic Palace for his ad limina audience with the pope. John Paul II named the now 50-year-old Tobin a bishop six years ago, but after seeing the youthful man in front of him, the Holy Father exclaimed, “You’re very young to be a bishop!” With a big smile, a brave Tobin responded without pretense, “With all due respect, Holy Father, that’s your fault!” (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

By Cole DeSantis, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent - It is with the words “Receive the Gospel and preach the Word of God with all patience and sound teaching,” that the consecrating bishop places the book of the Gospels over the head of the bishop-elect, which is then held by two deacons during the prayer of consecration symbolizing his role as supreme teaching authority in the local Church. The bishop then receives the crosier or episcopal staff. The new bishop is reminded of his duty to “keep watch over the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as Bishop to govern the Church of God.” (Photos: Laura Kilgus and Rick Snizek)

Laura Kilgus, Associate Editor - Bishop Thomas J. Tobin began the Keep the Heat On challenge on October 31, 2005, to assist those struggling to heat their homes in the frigid New England winters as heating costs reached record highs. Since then, Keep the Heat On has been a vital program in Bishop Tobin’s outreach to the Diocese of Providence and to the state of Rhode Island, providing more than $4 million in heating assistance to 17,174 households through 2023. (Photos: Laura Kilgus and Rick Snizek)

By Jennifer Barton, Rhode Island Catholic Correspondent Bishop Thomas J. Tobin has long been known as a forthright voice against the injustice of abortion in America. During presidential and off-year elections, he has openly stated that Catholics cannot, in good conscience, vote for candidates who actively support abortion. He criticized future-president Joe Biden for his pro-abortion views during his presidential campaign in 2020. In 2021, he released a statement expressing his disappointment and even indignation over 2nd Congressional District Rep. James Langevin’s (and other Catholic politicians’) stance on abortion in the U.S. (Photo: Rick Snizek)

By Father Nathan Ricci - On a cool Roman morning in November of 1998, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin arrived at the Apostolic Palace for his ad limina audience with the pope. John Paul II named the now 50-year-old Tobin a bishop six years ago, but after seeing the youthful man in front of him, the Holy Father exclaimed, “You’re very young to be a bishop!” With a big smile, a brave Tobin responded without pretense, “With all due respect, Holy Father, that’s your fault!” The pope clearly appreciated the good humor and candor of the young bishop. John Paul II would raise Tobin to further dignity in the Church, naming him to the most Catholic state in the Union as eighth bishop of Providence. (Photo: Laura Kilgus)

"We have been so blessed by this man’s faithful priestly witness of 50 years, his 31 years of episcopal shepherding, and his lifetime of Christian discipleship." - from Bishop Henning's latest column - - about Bishop Tobin

In this special edition, Rhode Island Catholic takes a look at Bishop Thomas J. Tobin's 18-year legacy in the Diocese of Providence in recognition of his retirement and 50th anniversary of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. For a copy of this special 40 page edition of Rhode Island Catholic, please call 401-272-1010 or email srichard@thericatholic.com.

Today, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin celebrates the 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood! He was ordained in 1973 in Pittsburgh, PA. Congratulations, Bishop Tobin! Ad multos annos! (Photo: Bishop Tobin)

In his final public Mass as the eighth Bishop of Providence, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin officiated the Rite of Candidacy at St. John Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts, for Diocese of Providence Seminarians Vincent “Jay” Zizza and Michael Santos

WARWICK — On Monday, May 1, seven hours after Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin, D.D., from the pastoral governance of the diocese, the eighth Bishop of Providence appeared before an annual gathering of priests of the diocese to offer his thanks for their ministry and to offer his support to the Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, S.T.D., the ninth Bishop of Providence.

PROVIDENCE — Bishop Thomas J. Tobin blessed a plaque affixed to the back wall of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul dedicated to Barbara and her late husband Ralph Papitto, in honor of their stewardship to the diocese. Barbara Papitto donated $4.5 million to help complete the restoration of the cathedral’s twin towers last summer.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has accepted the resignation of Most Reverend Thomas J. Tobin, D.D., from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Providence. As required by the Code of Canon Law, Bishop Tobin presented a letter of resignation to the Holy Father upon reaching the age of 75 on April 1.

Bishop's latest column in the Rhode Island Catholic

Bishop Tobin visited the diocesan homeless shelter and helped to serve the 35 guests an Easter brunch of ham, rice and green beans. After offering a blessing, Bishop Tobin distributed prayer cards to each of the guests present.

One of the beautiful things about spring is the new and abundant life that appears. All around us, nature is giving evidence of that new life in the lengthening days, the blooming of plants and flowers, and the animals emerging from their dens and nests accompanied by their little ones.

From Bishop Thomas J. Tobin's Youth Mental Wellness Task Force

Bishop Tobin’s Youth Mental Wellness Task Force produces support guide for parishes and schools

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Diocese of Providence: A blessed and happy Easter to you! We recall that when the holy Apostles and the devout women went to the tomb on Easter morning, they found that the tomb was empty and they were greeted by angels with the question: “Why do you seek the Living One among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised.” (Lk 24:5-6) That question, and that statement, have resounded through the ages, and they give the world, and they give us new hope, new strength and the promise of new and eternal life!

An authentic celebration of Easter, the Resurrection of Christ, is such a world-changing, life-changing event that it should inspire in us a tidal wave of emotion, and the growth of important virtues. Among the most prominent of those virtues are hope, peace and joy.

There’s a reason it’s called “Holy Week” and that’s because in these days we will enter into the deepest mysteries of the Christian Faith. In this week we will observe and actually share in the suffering, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the events that redeemed mankind, reconciled us to God, and gave us a new beginning with the hope of eternal life. This week should be a retreat for us, a time when as much as possible we set aside our normal routines and turn our undivided attention to Jesus.