Pope Names Myers New Archbishop of Newark His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, today named The Most Reverend John J. Myers, J.C.D., D.D.formerly Bishop of the Diocese of Peoria, IL, as the fifth Archbishop of Newark. He succeeds His Eminence Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, who was transferred from Newark at the beginning of January 2001 to serve the Catholic Church as the Archbishop of Washington. Archbishop-designate Myers, who turns 60 this week, will serve as the spiritual leader of more than 1.3 million Catholics in one of the oldest and most diverse dioceses in the United States. "When Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Ambassador of the Apostolic See to the United States, contacted me with the information that our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, had determined to appoint me to be Archbishop of Newark, I responded that I was surprised, honored, and humbled. That remains my reaction. I am deeply grateful for the trust which the Holy Father has shown. In a letter to him I stated that I could undertake this office in the great Archdiocese of Newark only by relying on the grace offered by the Good Shepherd of all, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the help of my brother bishops and priests, especially those in the Archdiocese," said Myers. He continued, "It is a special honor for me to succeed Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, a great servant-leader in the Church for whom I have deep admiration and sincere friendship and affection. I also wish to greet and acknowledge Archbishop Peter Gerety, who served before him. "My profound thanks go to Bishop Paul Bootkoski, who has served as Administrator, and to the other bishops, priests, religious and staff of the Archdiocese and the many fine institutions here. I look forward to getting to know you, to working with you, and to serving you. "This is quite a change for all of us – especially me. I am very much a priest and bishop of the Midwest, and I deeply love the Diocese of Peoria, which has always been my home. The change will take some time, but I am confident that we will grow in friendship and in love. It occurred to me that Peoria and Newark have some things in common. For example, both are west of the Hudson River and east of the Mississippi River! More important, both are characterized by good people and good priests who have a deep faith and a deep love for the Church. It will be a great adventure as we follow the Lord with trust into the 21st Century. Surely He will help us to do the part He intends for us in His great plan for the human family." Archbishop-designate Myers was born in Ottawa, IL on July 26, 1941, to Melvin Wayne (Jack) and the late Margaret Myers. He is the eldest of seven children. After attending local elementary school and St. Bede Academy, John Myers completed studies at Loras College in Dubuque, IA. He then began studies for the priesthood in Rome, and was ordained a priest for service to the Diocese of Peoria at St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome on Dec. 17, 1966. Father Myers received a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the North American College, Gregorian University, Rome in 1967, and a doctorate in Canon Law from Catholic University in Washington, DC in 1977. Following his first assignment as assistant pastor at Holy Family Parish, Peoria, in 1967, Father Myers then served in the Department of International Affairs of the United States Catholic Conference from 1970 to 1971. His next assignment was as assistant pastor of St. Matthew Parish, Champaign, IL from 1971 until 1974. Among the administrative positions Father Myers held in the Diocese of Peoria were Administrator of St. Mary Cathedral; diocesan Vice Chancellor; Vocations Director; diocesan Chancellor; and diocesan Vicar General. He also served as a member of the diocesan Presbyteral Council and Board of Consultors of the Peoria diocese. On Sept. 3, 1987, Bishop Myers was installed as Coadjutor Bishop of Peoria, and acceded to the See of Peoria on January 23, 1990. As a member of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Myers has served on the Canonical Affairs Committee, Committee on Shrines and Pilgrimages, and Committee on Vocations. He currently serves on the Board of Governors of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, Boston, MA; the Seminary Board, Kenrick-Glennon, of the Archdiocese of St. Louis; the Seminary Committee and Board of Trustees of Catholic University of America; and as vice president of the Illinois Catholic Health Association. In welcoming Archbishop-designate Myers to Newark, the Most Reverend Paul G. Bootkoski, VG, Administrator of the Archdiocese, stated: "It is my privilege today to introduce the man whom His Holiness has chosen to lead this local Church of Newark. "Since his ordination to the priesthood, he has served the laity, priests and religious Brothers and Sisters of his local church faithfully as a priest, administrator and most recently as bishop and spiritual leader. In recent days I have spoken with many who know him or have worked closely with him. I have learned that he is a caring, committed and determined teacher and pastor. Such qualities will truly be a grace to the Archdiocese of Newark as we approach our 150th anniversary two years from now." Founded in 1853, the Archdiocese of Newark is one of the oldest, and the smallest geographically, of Roman Catholic diocese in the United States. The Archdiocese provides spiritual, educational, medical and social service outreach to the people of four northern New Jersey counties – Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union -- through 235 parishes, 174 Catholic elementary and secondary schools, three colleges and a university, 8 hospitals and the largest social service agency in New Jersey. Some 72,000 students in the Archdiocese are educated in Catholic school, and another 57,000 students receive instruction in the faith in elementary and secondary religious education programs. Some 1,100 diocesan and religious priests, 251 permanent deacons, and 1,500 religious Brothers and Sisters serve the Archdiocese. Contact:
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