Untitled Document

James W. Tobin
Associate Director
Department on Social Concerns

Jim Tobin has worked for the Catholic Conference of Ohio as Director of Social Concerns since 1987. The Catholic Conference represents the Ohio Bishops in public matters affecting the church. Jim communicates with Ohio’s Government officials on various social justice issues. He also convenes the Catholic Church’s social service, social action, prison ministry and rural life directors throughout Ohio.

Jim has been a participant on several governmental committees involving adoption reform, welfare reform, faith-based partnerships, and farming regulations.

Jim also serves as a writing consultant for the Ohio Catholic Bishops statements on many topics. Previous efforts included work on the following: the consistent ethic of life (“The Consistent Ethic of Life” and “Abortion and Political Life”), capital punishment (“Justice and Mercy Reassessing the Death Penalty” and “Affirming Justice and Mercy”), end of life issues (“Hopes and Fears: Pastoral Reflections on Death”), rural life (“Sustaining Life: Moral Reflections on Food, Agriculture and Rural Life Issues” and “Parched Land, Perilous Times: A Call for Prayer and Legislative Action for Farming Families”), tax reform (Fair and Adequate Tax Reform), undocumented immigrants (“God’s Welcoming Presence: A Call to Stand in Solidarity with Ohio’s Immigrants”), as well as casino gambling and concealed carry legislation. Jim also served as a consultant and editor for several Resource Guides on topics related to welfare reform, death penalty, end of life issues and rural life concerns.

Jim and his wife, Yvonne, have four children. Jim graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati with a degree in Urban Studies. He worked 11 years in social justice ministry with the Catholic Diocese of Columbus as a program coordinator for the Department on Social Concerns prior to his employment with the Catholic Conference.