John J. Myers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Excellency, The Most Reverend John Joseph Myers |
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| Archbishop of Newark Ecclesiastical Superior of Turks and Caicos |
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| 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 | July 26, 1941 Ottawa, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | September 24, 2020 (aged 79) Ottawa, Illinois, U.S. |
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| 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 |
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| Reference style |
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| 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.
Contents
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
