Thomas Tobin was auxiliary bishop in Pittsburgh when he learned of sexual abuse happening within his diocese. He did nothing because, he said, his work was administrative, and so it was not his responsibility.
A grand jury investigation concluded there was “sexual abuse of minors committed by dozens of priests and, in one case, an aspiring priest, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh … The evidence also showed that Diocesan administrators, including the bishops, had knowledge of this conduct yet regularly placed the priests in ministry after the Diocese was on notice that a complaint of child sexual abuse had been made. This conduct was enabling to the offenders and endangered the welfare of children.”
But since his job was accounting, he kept silent and let the abuse continue. Rather than being fired for his abject failure of duty of care, he has been promoted to bishop of Providence, RI.
A 2022 investigation reveals that even when it is his responsibility, he fails his duty of care. In February, 2022, the diocese announced the removal of Fr. Francis Santilli referencing a case of sexual abuse allegedly happened forty years ago. What he did not mention was there were other, more recent, cases and the diocese has known about at least three of them for several years and their only action was to discredit and malign the victims.
This is the same bishop who told Catholics they should not participate in any PRIDE month activities. “A reminder that Catholics should not support or attend LGBTQ ‘Pride Month’ events held in June. They promote a culture and encourage activities that are contrary to Catholic faith and morals. They are especially harmful for children.”
He used Nelson Mandela’s death to attack Mandela for supporting abortion. He ostentatiously denied Democratic politicians communion because the supported abortion. Meanwhile, he promoted child molesters and knowingly covered up for priests who raped children.
- The Providence Journal: Tobin: Incidents were outside scope of my responsibility
- SNAP Network: New case exposes cover-up by Bishop Tobin: Statement by SNAP and BishopAccountability
- Church Militant: Bishop Tobin passes the buck
The Boston Globe
Boston, Massachusetts · Friday, December 13, 2013