CALLING CARD
Archbishop looks to revitalize faith in Newark
JOSEPH CARDINAL TOBIN was installed Friday as the new head of the Archdiocese of Newark, replacing his oft-criticized predecessor with a deft display of humility.
Tobin, chosen by Pope Francis to serve as shepherd to the flock of 1.5 million New Jersey Roman Catholics, told 2,000 worshippers in the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart that the task ahead was challenging.
“It is a daunting proposition, not because of the size, rich history or wonderful diversity of this portion of the vineyard,” said the 64-year-old cardinal.
“Rather, the appointment reminds me the stakes are incredibly high, for if we permit the chasm between faith and life to continue to expand, we risk losing Christ, reducing him simply to an interesting idea or a comforting, nostalgic memory.”
Tobin replaces departing Archbishop John Myers, who alienated many New Jersey Catholics with his perceived mishandling of sex abuse cases involving priests and and the construction of his posh $500,000 retirement home.
Myers spent 15 years in the post before hitting the mandatory church retirement age of 75.
Tobin, in contrast, belongs to the Redemptorists missionary order and took a vow of poverty. His history of providing aid to the poor and immigrants was forged during his extensive travels in the Third World.
As archbishop of Indianapolis, Tobin went toe-to-toe with Vice President-elect Mike Pence over the then-governor’s opposition to relocating Syrian refugees in Indiana.
The Newark archdiocese is resettling Syrian refugees later this month.
Tobin, considered a church moderate, managed to crack a small joke before the crowd, that arrived to the song “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
When Pope Francis promoted him to cardinal during a November trip to Rome, Tobin recalled whispering into the pontiff’s ear, “What have you done?”
Tobin, the first cardinal to oversee the Newark archdiocese ended his initial homily with a call for unity among a disparate group of followers — with nearly 40% of his parishioners either black or Latino.
“Rejoice, because we will grow in our unity and humility, and in the process, discover joy and peace in our life together,” he promised.