Joseph William Tobin, C.Ss.R.

Province of Denver – USA

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The present Superior General is the Most Reverend Fr. Joseph William Tobin, who was born in Detroit, Michigan (U.S.A.) on May 3, 1952, the oldest of thirteen children. His family lived in Holy Redeemer parish, which was then under the care of the Redemptorists. He attended Redemptorist seminaries in Wisconsin and New York, earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a master’s degree in religious education and a master’s degree in divinity.

He made his first profession on August 5, 1973 and was ordained on June 1, 1978. After ordination Fr. Joe served communities of hispanic immigrants in both urban and rural areas. His pastoral experience includes the parochial apostolate, community organizing, retreat preaching for youth and lay adults, Cursillos de Cristianidad, the archdiocesan tribunal and advocacy for peace, justice and the integrity of creation.

Before coming to Roma in 1991, he held these offices within the Congregation: member of the provincial chapter (1978-91), extraordinary provincial consultor (1984-90), local superior (1988-91); member of the General Secretariat for Pastoral Matters (1985-91). Fr. Joe has served local dioceses as pastor (1984-91), episcopal vicar (1981-90), defender of the bond (1980-90), associate Judge (1981-90), and as a member of the archdiocesan presbyteral council (1985-90).

In 1991, the XXI General Chapter elected him as a consultor to Fr. Juan Manuel Lasso de la Vega. During that sexennium he had special responsibility for Redemptorist youth and vocation ministry. The XXII General Chapter chose him as Superior General on September 9, 1997. He was re-elected by the XXIII General Chapter on September 26, 2003.