Pope Francis assigns Indy archbishop Tobin to Newark

By Kaitlin L Lange And Vic Ryckaert
Indianapolis Star
November 7, 2016

http://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2016/11/05/indy-archbishop-tobin-could-headed-newark/93355626/

Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin speaks during a press conference about being chosen by Pope Francis to be a Cardinal, Indianapolis Catholic Center, Indianapolis, Monday, Oct. 10, 2016.

Cardinal-designate Joseph W. Tobin, the archbishop of Indianapolis who tangled with Gov. Mike Pence over Syrian refugees, announced Monday that he has been chosen by Pope Francis to lead the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J.

"I immediately thought of you, the people of this great Archdiocese whose pastoral care was entrusted to me four years ago," Tobin said in a statement posted on the Indianapolis Archdiocese website.

"The thought of leaving you devastated me," Tobin said. "I have had many sleepless nights and shed more than a few tears."

Tobin will be officially introduced during a news conference in Newark that starts at 10:30 a.m. Monday and will be live-streamed on the Archdiocese of Newark's Facebook page. He will be installed in the new post on Jan. 6.

Tobin's impending departure made headlines this weekend after NJ.com, the online affiliate of the Star-Ledger, and Whispers in the Loggia, a well-known Catholicism blog, reported the news citing unnamed sources.

Newark Archbishop John J. Myers reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in July. He has a news conference scheduled for 10:20 a.m. Monday at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. However, the content of that press conference has not been released.

Jim Goodness, a spokesman for the archdiocese, declined to comment on Monday's news conference, NJ.com reported.

Tobin was named archbishop of Indianapolis in October 2012. He made news last December for allowing Syrian refugees to settle in Indiana, despite a ban on their resettlement in Indiana from Gov. Mike Pence.

In October, He was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis on Oct. 9, much to his surprise. He said he found out through Twitter.

Tobin will be the first cardinal to head the Archdiocese of Newark once his designation takes effect Nov. 18.

Tobin will be replacing an archbishop who has been sharply criticized in recent years for his handling of clergy sexual abuse, the National Catholic Reporter reported on its website Monday.

Myers was criticized after it was revealed in 2013 that a priest convicted of criminal sexual contact with a minor had been serving in the archdiocese as a youth minister, according to the National Catholic Reporter.

Myers, according to the Reporter, also came under fire for spending nearly $1 million to renovate and expand his home.