24-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Cardinal with Kerry links among the potential successors to Pope
Cardinal Joseph Tobin, who is currently serving as a Cardinal in Newark, is the son of Irish immigrants Joseph W Tobin and Marie Kerwin.
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.
