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.

Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D.

Bishop of Trenton