PROVIDENCE (RI)
NBC 10 News
August 22, 2018
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Diocese of Providence said that he was aware of allegations of sexual abuse during his time in Pennsylvania, but could not act on them.
In a statement to the Providence Journal, Tobin said he learned of the allegations while working as an auxiliary bishop, in Pittsburgh, in the 1990s.
However, he said he was unable to take action because he was not responsible for clergy issues.
Tobin said he had an administrative role in the church, such as handling budgets and property.
“My responsibilities as Vicar General and General Secretary of the diocese did not include clergy assignments or clergy misconduct, but rather other administrative duties such as budgets, property, diocesan staff, working with consultative groups, etc. Even as an auxiliary bishop, I was not primarily responsible for clergy issues,? Tobin said in an email to ProJo.
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