VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis is pressing his campaign to remake the U.S. church more in his likeness, tapping one of his new cardinals, Joseph Tobin, to replace the Newark, N.J. archbishop criticized for mishandling sex abuse cases and spending lavishly on his retirement home.
The Vatican on Monday announced Tobin would replace Archbishop John Myers, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in July.
Tobin, currently archbishop of Indianapolis, is one of three Americans whom Francis will formally elevate as cardinal Nov. 19.
Tobin made headlines last year when he defied Gov. Mike Pence when Pence asked him to stop welcoming refugee families.
Pence and Tobin had a hour-long meeting at Pence's office to discuss the Syrian refugee issue.
His new assignment cements evidence of Francis' high esteem and marks a transition away from an archbishop focused on drawing hard lines about Catholic orthodoxy.
The leadership change also provides a fresh start for an archdiocese that has been battered recently by controversies over Myers' leadership.
Tobin released a statementabout the assignment Monday morning.
It reads, in part:
Receiving that second shock, I immediately thought of you, the people of this great Archdiocese whose pastoral care was entrusted to me four years ago. I remembered how you welcomed me, offered your support in so many ways, forgave my mistakes and limitations and always assured me of your love and the precious backing of your prayer. The thought of leaving you devastated me. I have had many sleepless nights and shed more than a few tears.
