Conservative Peoria Bishop Appointed to Newark Diocese

July 25, 2001

Source: The New York Times

On July 25, 2001, The New York Times reported that Bishop John J. Myers, of Peoria, Illinois, has been appointed as archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, a much larger and more diverse community than the rural one of Peoria. Bishop Myers "has become the darling of church conservatives, who see him as a bulwark against American Catholics who advocate greater flexibility...Joanne Bloom, a retired...teacher who serves on the board of the Roncalli Society, a group in Peoria that encourages discussion of church teachings, said Bishop Myers pushed away many maverick priests" and teachers who discussed the ordination of women. "The bishop is a very kind man and very spiritual," she said, "but he doesn't believe in dialogue and doesn't allow for much diversity."