Posted on 08/28/2006 2:15:41 PM PDT by Coleus
Once Pope Benedict returns to Vatican City from a trip to his native Germany next month, he faces important decisions that will affect millions of Catholics: how to fill archbishop vacancies in Detroit and Baltimore, where archbishops traditionally become cardinals.
New Jersey's Catholics have good reason to follow his decisions: Newark Archbishop John J. Myers, the highest-ranked Catholic clergyman in the state since 2001, is rumored to be the favorite for Detroit's opening. The Vatican tries to keep its appointments under wraps, though expected vacancies always fuel speculation among priests and within the Catholic community. Adding to the uncertainty is the pope's ultimate discretion in a process that includes input from the papal ambassador to the United States and the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops.
Nobody who knows whether Myers is among the three finalists -- or whether the selection process has even reached that point -- will speak publicly about it. Myers declined to be interviewed about it. However, the rumors about Myers moving to Detroit are being discussed among priests, mentioned on the Internet and heard even among some lay people.
One member of the clergy in New Jersey who asked not to be identified said that in late spring, he was present when Myers told a group of clergymen that rumors of his being selected for Detroit were strong. And earlier this month, a blog that is well-read by Vatican watchers in America, www.whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com, cited Myers as the leading candidate for the Detroit job. The blog is written by Rocco Palmo, a 23-year-old correspondent for the Tablet, a Catholic magazine based in Britain.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
Myers is from Peoria, IL. The archdioces of Detroit has slightly more Catholics than Newark, much more theologically troubled, and has many more non-Catholics.
He would also have to have dealings with the Muslim community , wouldn't he? Is Dearborn in the Archdiocese of Detroit? I'm sure he's had some experience with that because of the large Muslim presence in Northern NJ.
Good catch! Rocco wrote about this today!
Yes, with the Muslims, but the Arabs in general. The Chaldeans are in abundance.
We have some really traditional parishes also. Hopefully we will remain untouched.
A Time for Honesty
The Most Reverend John J. Myers
Archbishop of Newark
A Pastoral Statement by The Most Reverend John J. Myers,
...There is no right more fundamental than the right to be born and reared with all the dignity the human person deserves. On this grave issue, public officials cannot hold themselves excused from their duties, especially if they claim to be Catholic. Every faithful Catholic must be not only “personally opposed” to abortion, but also must live that opposition in his or her actions. In Robert Bolt’s play A Man for All Seasons, St. Thomas More remarks, “I believe, when statesmen forsake their own private conscience for the sake of their public duties…they lead their country by a short route to chaos.” Sadly, too few follow the example of St. Thomas More. As voters, Catholics are under an obligation to avoid implicating themselves in abortion, which is one of the gravest of injustices. Certainly, there are other injustices, which must be addressed, but the unjust killing of the innocent is foremost among them. . . .
sounds good. more here:
http://www.ewtn.com/library/BISHOPS/honesty.htm
There's some bad press on Archbishop Myers, but we think he really is a good egg.
Going from New Jersey to New Fallujah? Well, at least both are places full of souls needing salvation.
wow, this is big!
There's a disturbing reference to Archbishop Myers on page 1170 of Randy Engel's new major reference work on the Catholic Church. The matter deals with a lawsuit filed on January 10, 2006, on behalf of Fr. Robert Hoatson of the Newark diocese.
Be careful what you wish for. Since this is a rumor thread, I heard a rumor that if Myers leaves Newark, then Serratelli will return to Newark as the Archbishop.
I remember when I first read about Hoatson and his lawsuit,I was very concerned since he accused some B/bishops that I had not seen accused of sexual improprieties before,Bishop Myers in particular. I did a Google search and found his (Hoatson's) statement about consensual sex and knew that I wasn't going to place credibility on his claims.
Shortly thereafter I read Matt Abbot's column which supported my first impressions of the priest (Hoatson) and decided following this man's accusations was not worth my time.
I am commenting only to warn you there are two sides to this story and more research is needed than the writing contained in Randy Engel's book. Other information contained in her book is right on the money but in all things we need to double check our immediate reactions and seek to discover the facts. In the case of Hoatson and his lawsuit there are definitely flaws in his character,which is not to say that Bishop Myers is innocent,but only to say it is not as clear as it may first seem.
I hope they do not take Bishop Galante from us.
Thanks for the link. I hope you're right!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.