Papabili: Tobin, Progressive Pro-Gay and Women Cardinals

Newark: Papabile Joseph William Tobin, 73, American, Archbishop of Newark, made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2016, is part of a so-called ‘triad’ of progressive American cardinals, together with Blase Cupich of Chicago and Robert McElroy of San Diego. Of Irish origin, born in Detroit, since he was a child he attended the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, founded in the eighteenth century in the Salerno area by Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori, to bring the Gospel to the poorest.

According to Ansa News Agency, for ten years Tobin was Superior General of the Redemptorists and Vice President of the Union of Superiors General. With this last position, he traveled to over 70 countries, to get to know the local religious communities. In 2010, Pope Benedict appointed him Bishop and Secretary of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life. As soon as he was promoted, he immediately criticized an inspection by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the organization of American women religious, the LCWR, judging it highly ideological and punitive.

Tobin is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ cause. In 2017, he welcomed a pilgrimage of gays and lesbians and their families to the Newark Cathedral. He signed a declaration in favor of LGBTQ youth and asked that homosexuality no longer be defined in the Catechism as “intrinsically disordered” behavior. He was a supporter of Francis’ declaration “Fiducia supplicans,” which allows the blessing of gay couples.

The archbishop of Newark has declared that “there is no compelling theological reason why the pope cannot appoint a woman cardinal.” He has also argued that women should be able to preach during Mass and have a place in decision-making processes. Tobin has condemned abortion and the death penalty, and is very sensitive to the issues of immigration and social justice.

He has repeatedly spoken out in favor of protecting migrants. He is considered a progressive, but a ‘dialoguist’ and pragmatic. Already in 2014 he warned against the ideological polarization of American political life. In his opinion, this “helps contribute to the balkanization of American Catholics into so-called right and left wings, or progressive and traditionalist factions, who point the finger at each other.” For Tobin, “those who point the finger do great harm to religious life, because they make us defensive,” so that “we feel constantly forced to defend ourselves from other parts of the Church.”