NEW JERSEY
The Record
BY MARY JO LAYTON AND MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITERS | THE RECORD
Pope Francis on Monday appointed Indianapolis Archbishop Joseph Tobin, a staunch supporter of social justice as the next spiritual leader of the Newark Archdiocese to succeed retiring Archbishop John J. Myers.
Myers is scheduled to hold a press conference, along with Tobin, at 10:30 a.m. today at the Newark Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Tobin, the oldest of 13 children, is due to be elevated to cardinal in two weeks, which would make him the first cleric of that exalted rank in the 163-year history of the archdiocese, serving 1.2 million Roman Catholics in Bergen, Essex, Union and Hudson counties.
Archdiocese spokesman Jim Goodness said Tobin will likely start in January.
Related: As he exits, Newark Archbishop Myers opens up; criticizes secular culture
Cardinals usually preside over the nation’s largest and most important cities, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
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