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His Excellency, The Most Reverend John Joseph Myers
Archbishop of Newark
Ecclesiastical Superior of Turks and Caicos
Archdiocese Newark
Appointed July 24, 2001
Enthroned October 9, 2001
Reign ended November 7, 2016
Predecessor Theodore Edgar McCarrick
Successor Joseph William Tobin
Other posts Ecclesiastical Superior Emeritus of Turks and Caicos
Orders
Ordination December 17, 1966
Consecration September 3, 1987
by Edward W. O'Rourke, Thomas C. Kelly, and Donald Wuerl
Personal details
Born (1941-07-26)July 26, 1941
Ottawa, Illinois, U.S.
Died September 24, 2020(2020-09-24) (aged 79)
Ottawa, Illinois, U.S.
Previous post
  • Bishop of Peoria (1990–2001)
  • Coadjutor Bishop of Peoria (1987–1990)
Alma mater Pontifical Gregorian University
North American College
Motto Mysterium ecclesiae luceat
(Let the mystery of the church shine forth)
Styles of
John Joseph Myers
Coat of arms of John Joseph Myers.svg
Reference style
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Archbishop

John Joseph Myers (July 26, 1941 – September 24, 2020) was an American leader in the Roman Catholic Church. He served as a bishop in Illinois and later as an archbishop in New Jersey. He also oversaw the Catholic Church in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Biography

Early life and education

John Myers was born on July 26, 1941, in Ottawa, Illinois. He was the oldest of seven children. His family lived on a farm near Earlville, Illinois. From a young age, John was an altar server at his church, St. Theresa.

He went to school in Earlville and then attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. He graduated from Loras College in 1963. While studying there, Myers also prepared to become a priest in Rome.

Becoming a priest

John Myers was ordained as a priest on December 17, 1966. This ceremony took place at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. He was ordained by Bishop Francis Frederick Reh.

Myers studied theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He also attended the Pontifical North American College. He earned advanced degrees in theology and church law.

After becoming a priest, Myers worked as an assistant pastor in Peoria for a year. He then worked for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This organization helps guide the Catholic Church in the U.S. He also served as an associate pastor in Champaign, Illinois.

Myers held several important roles within the Diocese of Peoria:

  • Administrator of St. Mary Cathedral (1977–1978 and 1984)
  • Vice chancellor (1977–1978)
  • Vocations director (1977–1987)
  • Chancellor (1978–1987)
  • Vicar general (1982–1990)

He was also a member of important church councils.

Bishop of Peoria

On July 7, 1987, Pope John Paul II chose Myers to be the coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Peoria. A coadjutor bishop is like an assistant bishop. They are expected to take over when the main bishop retires or leaves.

Myers became a bishop on September 3, 1987. Bishop Edward William O'Rourke led this special ceremony. Archbishops Thomas Cajetan Kelly and Donald Wuerl also helped.

On January 23, 1990, Bishop O'Rourke retired. John Myers then automatically became the new bishop of Peoria.

Archbishop of Newark

On July 24, 2001, Pope John Paul II appointed Myers to a new role. He became the fifth archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. An archbishop leads a larger group of churches called an archdiocese. He also became the leader of the Catholic Church in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He officially started his new role on October 9, 2001. On June 29, 2002, he received the pallium. This is a special woolen band worn by archbishops. It shows their connection to the Pope.

Honors and recognition

On December 10, 2010, Myers received a special honor. He was named a knight grand cross of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus. This award was given by Prince Victor Emmanuel. It recognized Myers' "exemplary leadership" as an important church leader.

Assisting the archbishop

On September 24, 2013, Pope Francis named Bishop Bernard Hebda as a coadjutor archbishop for Newark. This meant Bishop Hebda would assist Archbishop Myers. However, Bishop Hebda later became the archbishop of another archdiocese.

Activities and interests

Myers was very active in the Canon Law Society of America. This group studies and discusses church laws. He helped with workshops about the revised Code of Canon Law.

He also advised the Pope's council on legal texts. Myers served on the board of trustees for The Catholic University of America. He was also on the boards of the Pontifical North American College and Mount Saint Mary's Seminary.

Besides his church work, Myers enjoyed writing. He co-wrote a science fiction novel called Space Vulture. It was published in 2008.

Retirement

Pope Francis accepted Myers' resignation as archbishop of Newark on November 7, 2016. This meant he retired from his main role. In January 2020, Myers moved back to Illinois to be closer to his family. His health was declining at this time.

John Myers passed away on September 24, 2020, in Ottawa, Illinois. He was 79 years old.

See also

  • Catholic Church in the United States
  • List of Catholic bishops of the United States
  • Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
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