Cardinal with Kerry links among the potential successors to Pope
He's noted as a powerful voice within the Church for the plight of immigrants, with his own background as the son of immigrants to the US deeply informing his approach.
His family are understood to have links to Kerry and he has spoken about his grandmother's love of the Irish language and praying in the Irish language.
Cardinal Tobin was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1952 and is the eldest of 13 children.
He is a member of the Redemptorist order and was ordained in 1978. He was Archbishop of Indianapolis from 2012 to 2016 and he was appointed Archbishop of Newark in 2017.
Pope Francis named Cardinal Tobin a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture in 2019 and a member of the Congregation for Bishops in 2021 – which is responsible for selecting bishops all over the world. This position was seen as a sign of Pope Francis's faith in him.
He was also appointed to the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in 2021 by Pope Francis.
Vatican observers say that a liberal pope could be selected to deal with important issues in the church going forward including gay rights and the ordination of women – issues Cardinal Tobin has been outspoken about. He has criticised the Church for its treatment of the LGBT community and he has continuously advocated for more roles for women in the church.
The new Pope will be voted in at conclave by Cardinals. Only Cardinals under the age of 80 will have a vote, so 135 out of 252 cardinals, will be able to vote for the new Pope.
Cardinal Tobin faces stiff competition for the new role with several prominent names on the list of potential successors.
American media have listed him as a potential candidate given his more liberal views along the lines of Pope Francis.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
5 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Trump administration in talks to take 10% stake in Intel
The Trump administration is in talks to take a 10% stake in Intel by converting some or all of the struggling company's Chips Act grants into equity. Shares of Intel fell about 3% on Monday, after rallying last week on hopes of US federal support. A 10% stake in the American chipmaker would be worth about $10bn. Intel has been slated to receive a combined $10.9bn in Chips Act grants for commercial and military production, and the figure is roughly enough to pay for the US government's holding, Bloomberg News reported, citing a White House official and other sources. Intel declined to comment on the report, while the White House did not respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Media reports said last week that the US government may buy a stake in Intel, after a meeting between CEO Lip-Bu Tan and US president Donald Trump that was sparked by Mr Trump's demand for the new Intel chief's resignation over his ties to Chinese firms. Reuters Read More US fast-food franchise Wendy's to open Cork Mahon Point outlet
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Downing Street warns Sally Rooney she risks prosecution if she donates to Palestine Action
NORMAL PEOPLE AUTHOR Sally Rooney risks committing a terrorist offence if she funds banned organisation Palestine Action, Downing Street has warned. The award-winning author said she will donate her earnings from her books and BBC adaptions to support the group, which was recently proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK. Downing Street said 'support for a proscribed organisation is an offence under the Terrorism Act' and said no-one should be backing the group. The Co Mayo native said that if that backing Palestine Action 'makes me a 'supporter of terror' under UK law, so be it'. Writing in the Irish Times over the weekend , Rooney said she will use the proceeds of her work and her public platform to continue her support for Palestine Action and 'direct action against genocide in whatever way I can'. Palestine Action was recently proscribed under terrorism legislation in the UK, but not under Irish law. Advertisement The BBC has broadcast adaptations of Rooney's novels Normal People and Conversations With Friends in recent years. But she has never been on the broadcaster's staff and it is understood the corporation is not working with her on any upcoming projects. Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, the ambassador of the state of Palestine in Ireland, said today: 'Sally Rooney is using her voice to call out international law and human rights violations in Palestine. 'I hope these calls result in practical actions that will stop the horrors we're witnessing carried out by Israel in Palestine; to stop the genocide and forced displacement and end the Israeli occupation.' In Westminster, Keir Starmer's official spokesperson would not comment specifically on the author's comments, but said: 'There is a difference between showing support for a proscribed organisation, which is an offence under the Terrorism Act, and legitimate protest in support of a cause.' Asked what message No 10 would give to people considering giving money to the group, the spokesman said: 'Support for a proscribed organisation is an offence under the Terrorism Act and obviously the police will, as they have set out, they will obviously implement the law within the law as you'd expect.' The spokesman said Palestine Action was proscribed 'based on security advice following serious attacks the group has committed, following an assessment made by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre'. In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said: 'Matters relating to proscribed organisations are for the relevant authorities.'
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
From Hebrew translation call to speeches and open letters, Sally Rooney has publicly supported Palestine for years
Irish author Sally Rooney's support for Palestine has once again entered public view with her vow to continue supporting Palestine Action.
