Pope Francis Accepts Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin's Retirement

PROVIDENCE, RI — Pope Francis on Monday accepted the retirement of Bishop Thomas Tobin, the leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence for close to the last two decades.

As required by the Code of Canon Law, Tobin submitted his letter of resignation when he turned 75 on April 1.

"You have been so good to me!" Tobin said. "Thank you to the priests, deacons, consecrated women and men, our diocesan staff, and all the faithful lay members of our church! Thank you for your patience and your prayers. Any good that we have been able to accomplish during the past eighteen years is a result, first of all, of your faith, your generosity, and your hard work."

Tobin will be replaced by Bishop Richard Henning. He was announced as Tobin's replacement in November 2022 and succeeds him as Providence's ninth bishop.

"For the last several months, I have been visiting communities across this 'state of hope,'" Henning said. "My gratitude to God for this new ministry in the Diocese of Providence has only deepened as I have come to know its clergy, religious, and people. I am particularly grateful for the time with Bishop Tobin whose own ministry as diocesan bishop for 18 years offers me a powerful witness of faith and a model of selfless service to the people of God."