Former Newark Archbishop John J. Myers, who spent 15 years leading more than a million New Jersey Catholics, died Thursday. He was 79.
Myers took over as head of the Archdiocese of Newark in 2001, just as the region was dealing with the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He stayed until 2017, after he reached the church’s mandatory retirement age and submitted his resignation to Pope Francis.
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Myers successor in Newark, sent his condolences and prayers to Myers’ family on behalf of his fellow bishops and the Catholic Church in Newark.
“Let us thank God for Archbishop Myers' service and his love of our Church. I entrust him to the loving arms of our Blessed Mother Mary, and I pray that Our Lord grant him peace,” Tobin said in a statement.
Though he was praised by some for strong, conservative leadership of the state’s largest diocese, Myers also drew criticism during his tenure for his handling of priests accused of abusing children and what some viewed as excessive spending on his church-funded retirement home.
He was also known for writing in his free time, co-authoring “Space Vulture,” a science fiction book with childhood friend Gary Wolf, the creator of Roger Rabbit, in 2008.
Myers was born in Ottawa, Illinois, the eldest of seven children. He grew up reading comic books and science fiction novels and going to church. He was ordained a priest in 1966 and rose to become the Bishop of Peoria, Illinois. He was selected by Pope John Paul II to serve as the Archbishop of Newark.
In 2013, Pope Francis appointed Bernard Hebda to serve as Myers' co-archbishop in a move many saw as a way to calm criticism in the New Jersey archdiocese after Myers’ controversial handling of several cases involving priest sexual abuse of minors.
“While the passing of any person is unfortunate, many clergy sexual abuse victims feel as though Archbishop Myers was not held sufficiently accountable for his leadership role in the clergy sexual abuse cover up," attorney Mitchell Garabedian, who has represented more than 100 alleged clergy sexual abuse victims in New Jersey, said Thursday.
Near the end of Myers’ tenure in Newark, some parishioners also protested and started a petition after The Star-Ledger reported the archdiocese was building a $500,000 addition to the five bedroom home in Franklin Township in Hunterdon County that was slated to serve as Myers' retirement home. The 3,000 square foot addition included an indoor exercise pool, an elevator and a library.
After his retirement, Myers was named Archbishop Emeritus of Newark. At the time, Myers said he wanted to continue to lead retreats, meet with priests and stay engaged in church life. As a canon lawyer, he also planned to serve on Vatican councils and boards.
In January, the archdiocese announced it was selling Myers' retirement house because the former archbishop’s health had declined and he was returning to Illinois to be cared for by his family.
Myers' motto was Mysterium Ecclesiae Luceat, or “Let the Mystery of the Church Shine Forth," the archdiocese said.
He often said, “I cannot make someone believe. I can, however, explain what the church teaches and the reasons for that teaching, and then invite him or her to be open to that teaching and embrace it,” church officials said.
The details of Myers' funeral will be announced when they are finalized, the archdiocese said.
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Kelly Heyboer may be reached at kheyboer@njadvancemedia.com.