WASHINGTON — The U.S. bishops’ conference has confirmed that Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, has been appointed by Pope Francis to participate in October’s 25th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, which will meet to discuss young people, the faith and vocational discernment.
Cardinal Tobin will join Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop José Gomez, Archbishop Charles Chaput, Bishop Frank Caggiano and Bishop Robert Barron, who, according to a July 23 USCCB press release, were elected by the U.S. bishops’ conference to attend the conference, after which their election was ratified by Pope Francis.
After the USCCB posted that press release to its website, Cardinal Tobin’s name was added to it, a USCCB spokesperson confirmed.
As of Aug. 25, the cardinal’s name is listed among those who were elected by the bishops’ conference. However, a USCCB spokesperson told CNA that Cardinal Tobin was, in fact, “named a delegate by Pope Francis after the Pope accepted the delegates elected by the USCCB.”
Cardinal Tobin is the chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. From 2010 to 2012, he was secretary of the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. From 1997 to 2009, he was superior general of the Redemptorists, his religious congregation.
The synod will take place Oct. 3-28.