PROVIDENCE (RI)
WJAR-TV, NBC-10 [Providence RI]
April 29, 2023
Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence said even though he will be retiring from his position, he will still be around to help the diocese as leadership transitions to his successor, Richard Henning.
Tobin joined host Gene Valicenti this week for his last interview on “10 News Conference” as the head of the Providence Diocese.
Under church law, Tobin had to submit a letter of resignation by age 75, which Pope Francis then oversees accepting.
Henning currently serves as coadjutor bishop and will immediately succeed Tobin when his retirement is accepted.
As a retired bishop, Tobin is no longer in charge or responsible for administrative duties in the diocese.
“One of the documents from the Vatican says a bishop is never unemployed. It’s very interesting insight,” said Tobin. “What it means is I continue to be a bishop, which means I can help out with all of the liturgical and sacramental things, teaching and preaching.”
Tobin will continue to live within the Diocese of Providence.
Over his 18 years as bishop in Rhode Island, Tobin has been a divisive figure. Some accuse him of being too conservative, particularly when it comes to his views on abortion and same-sex marriage.
He called abortion a “grave ill.” He explained that even though some of his parishioners may not agree, it means the church must do a better job of teaching.
“We’ll never have 100% of people agree with everything we say and do, including within our own church,” Tobin said about the criticism. “It’s the work of the church to teach and to preach the Gospel and pray that people will understand and respond.”
Tobin has disagreed with Pope Francis in the past. However, he said he does not have to agree with him on public opinion issues, just ones of church doctrine.
Tobin also countered criticism against him, saying any leader is subject to criticism like the kind he gets as bishop. He said the public may not always be receptive to church teachings because he believes the world is very secular right now.
“We’re not living in a time of great affinity or affection for religious and spiritual values,” said Tobin. “Someone who comes on the scene, like a Catholic bishop, to try to uphold traditional teachings about life and marriage and sexuality and other moral issues is not going to be well-received.”
Tobin also addressed the controversial issue of dispensations for Catholics to eat meat on St. Patrick’s Day this year. The holiday fell on a Friday during Lent when Catholics traditionally abstain from eating meat.
Tobin said his reason for not giving a general dispensation was faith-based.
“There are Christians around the world who are suffering martyrdom and dying for their faith every day,” Tobin explained. “I asked people not to eat meat on Friday, and it was like [the] third World War.”
As bishop, Tobin also had to handle sexual abuse cases within the diocese.
He said his predecessor, Bishop Robert Mulvee, made progress in this realm, but it will be a consistent issue within the diocese.
“I don’t think there’s a final point where we can say it’s all done,” said Tobin. “We’re talking about real people — children, families whose lives have been harmed, whose faith has been destroyed because of the terrible evil and terrible sin of sexual abuse.”
In looking at the future of the church, Tobin is concerned about declining faith participation in the U.S. but is hopeful this will change, especially in Providence.