STAMFORD—The Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Diocese of Providence Rhode Island, will be the keynote speaker at the 9th Annual Fundraising Banquet for the Family Institute of Connecticut on September 29, 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Stamford Marriott.
Bishop Tobin, who has received many national honors for his defense of life, will be the first Catholic bishop to serve as keynote at the event, which is the largest pro-family event of the year in Connecticut.
The Family Institute of Connecticut, headquartered in Hartford, works with citizens, institutions and government to acknowledge and encourage the vital role of the family. Founded in 1989, The Family Institute of Connecticut focuses on marriage strengthening projects, educational efforts, and research.
“New Englanders of all faiths are grateful to Bishop Tobin for his strong witness to the splendor of the truth here in our region of the country. Family Institute of Connecticut is honored to have him as our keynote speaker,” said Peter Wolfgang, Institute director.
Wolfgand said he has received much positive feedback from attendees of past FIC Banquets. But with the future of the churches and the pro-family movement such a hotly debated topic these days, this is the FIC Banquet you will not want to miss!
Tickets can be purchased now by clicking on this link!
If you have any questions about the Banquet, please call FIC at 860.548.0066.
Bishop Tobin Bio:
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was born on April 1, 1948. He began his seminary studies at Saint Mark Seminary High School, Erie and went on to Gannon University in Erie and St. Francis University in Loretto from which he graduated in 1969. He continued his seminary formation in Rome at the Pontifical North American College studying at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He also pursued graduate studies at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of San Anselmo in Rome.
Bishop Tobin was ordained a priest in July 1973 and soon after served as an assistant pastor at various parishes in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. He was named administrative secretary to the former Bishop of Pittsburgh and later became Vicar General and General Secretary. He was named Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh by Pope John Paul II in November 1992 and was ordained to the Episcopacy on December 27, 1992. Bishop Tobin was installed as the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio in 1996. In March 2005, Pope John Paul II named Bishop Tobin the eighth Bishop of Providence. He was installed as Bishop of Providence in May 2005 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.
Well known for his staunch pro-life stance, Bishop Tobin has received several prestigious honors including the Defender of the Faith Award from Legatus, the Proudly Pro-Life Award from the National Right to Life Committee and the Cardinal von Galen Award from Human Life International. He has also extended the charitable outreach of the Diocese of Providence with initiatives such as “Keep the Heat On” heating assistance program, Emmanuel House emergency shelter for the homeless, by providing bus passes for those in need of transportation services, and as an advocate for the refugee and immigrant community in Rhode Island.
Bishop Tobin is the recipient of an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, St. Francis University, in Loretto, PA. He has served as a member of the board of trustees for Salve Regina University in Newport, RI and Catholic University in Washington D.C. and currently serves in that capacity at Providence College. Bishop Tobin has published two books and continues to write his popular and award winning bi-weekly column, “Without a Doubt,” in the diocesan newspaper, The Rhode Island Catholic.
