New Jersey cardinal asks for prayers after doctors find kidney mass

Cardinal Joseph Tobin, archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, has been found to have a kidney mass, according to an Oct. 28 announcement from the Archdiocese of Newark.

The cardinal was scheduled to undergo surgery Oct. 29 to remove the mass, according to the announcement. In his statement, he asked for prayers and thanked the medical professionals caring for him.

“I am deeply grateful to the skilled and compassionate medical professionals who are guiding my care and preparing my treatment plan,” Cardinal Tobin said. “Above all, I place my complete trust in Christ our Redeemer, whose loving presence sustains me in all things.”

The archdiocese said testing indicated that the mass appeared confined to the kidney and that doctors were “optimistic about his outlook.” Examination of the mass after surgery would determine its nature and inform any further treatment, according to the announcement. The archdiocese had not released an update at the time of publication.

Cardinal Tobin has led the Archdiocese of Newark since his installation in January 2017. He previously served as archbishop of Indianapolis and was named a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2016.

A member of the Redemptorists, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1978 and served as the congregation’s superior general from 1997 to 2009.

The cardinal said he hoped to resume his full duties following the procedure. 

“I humbly ask for your prayers and support during this time,” he said. “God willing, I look forward to resuming my full duties within a few weeks after surgery.”