Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, , C.Ss.R.,D.D
The Selection Committee has chosen His Eminence, Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.Archbishop of Newark as the Irishman of the Year for 2023. The son of the late Joseph W.Tobin and Marie Terese Kerwin, Cardinal Tobin was born in Detroit, MI. He is the oldest of13 children. He attended Holy Redeemer College in Waterford, WI, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. He attended Mount Saint Alphonsus Seminary in Esopus, NY, earning Masters Degrees in Religious Education and Divinity.
In 1973, Joseph Tobin professed vows as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, the Redemptorists. In 1976, he professed perpetual vows with the Community. In 1978, he was ordained to both the diaconate and the priesthood. In 1984, he was named pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Detroit.
In 2012, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, appointed him to serve as the Sixth Archbishop of Indianapolis. His Holiness, Pope Francis, named him to the College of Cardinals in 2016. On November 7, 2016, His Holiness, Pope Francis named Joseph William Cardinal Tobin to serve as the Sixth Archbishop of Newark.
Besides his responsibilities in the Archdiocese of Newark, Cardinal Tobin has been appointed by Pope Francis as a member of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Synod of Bishops, Congregation for Catholic Education, Pontifical Council for Culture, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Council for the Economy, Supremo Tribunale della Signatura Apostolica, and Congregation for Bishops. Cardinal Tobin speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese, and readsseveral other languages. He has participated in five Synods of Bishops, and has been a member of the Canon Law Society of America since 1985.
