Bishop O’Connell announces death of retired Newark Archbishop John J. Myers • Shares Pope’s message for World Day of Migrants, Refugees • Look back at Pope Francis visit
It was with sadness that I learned early this morning of the passing of Most Revered John J. Myers, Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of the ecclesiastical province of Newark and Archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Newark (2001-2016). He was 79 years of age.
Prior to his appointment to the See of Newark, Archbishop Myers served as Coadjutor Bishop from 1987 until 1990, then Bishop of Peoria from 1990 until 2001.
A fellow alumnus of the School of Canon Law at The Catholic University of America, Archbishop Myers was an active member of its Board of Trustees and Finance Committee for many years. It was there that we first became acquainted. Over the years, we became good friends and collaborators.
Taking as his episcopal motto “Mysterium Ecclesiae Luceat (let the ‘Mystery of the Church Shine Forth’),” Archbishop Myers was well known for his staunch support of Catholic Church teachings. He was an active canon lawyer and a consultor to the Holy See on legislative texts.
I invited Archbishop Myers to serve as co-consecrator at my episcopal ordination at the Cathedral in Trenton on July 30, 2010 and we participated together in the New Jersey Catholic Conference along with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Archbishop Myers had a great sense of humor and a keen interest in literature, especially science fiction. He himself was an author. In more recent years, due to steadily declining health, Archbishop Myers returned to his native Peoria to be with his family.
May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
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Bishop O’Connell is marking the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which arrives Sept. 27. This year’s theme, “Forced like Jesus Christ to flee,” was chosen by Pope Francis to focus on the pastoral care of internally displaced people. The Bishop encourages his flock to read the Holy Father’s message for this important observance:
Like Jesus Christ, forced to flee.
Welcoming, protecting, promoting
and integrating internally displaced persons.
At the beginning of this year, in my Address to the members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, I pointed to the tragedy of internally displaced people as one of the challenges of our contemporary world: “Situations of conflict and humanitarian emergencies, aggravated by climate change, are increasing the numbers of displaced persons and affecting people already living in a state of dire poverty. Many of the countries experiencing these situations lack adequate structures for meeting the needs of the displaced” (9 January 2020).
To read the full message from Pope Francis, click here.
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The Diocese is marking the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ joyful four-day visit to the United States in 2015, including a series of special events in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The Monitor chronicled these extraordinary days in its Special Edition: Mission of Love, Mercy.
Covering the three major cities included in the Holy Father’s Sept. 23-27 visit – Washington, New York City and Philadelphia — the issue also tells the story of the visit through the eyes of the Diocese’s faithful who gathered for Masses celebrated by the Pope and lined city streets to receive his blessing as he passed in the Popemobile.
Among the stories: A reflection from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.; Princeton parishioner and pilot who flew Shepherd One; Father Mick Lambeth invited to the White House; Pope Watches in schools and parishes; Reader Reflections; Local Catholics stand together at Ground Zero, and much more.
Click HERE to view this SPECIAL EDITION.
To view a multimedia collection of coverage from the papal visit, click HERE.
