Coadjutor's appointment not related to abuse charges, Archbishop Myers says

September 25, 2013

Archbishop John Myers of Newark has denied reports that the Vatican appointed a coadjutor archbishop to the New Jersey archdiocese because of his mishandling of sex-abuse complaints.

“Absolutely not,” Archbishop Myers replied when asked whether the criticism he has faced was a factor in the appointment of Bishop Bernard Hebda as his coadjutor. He added that the appointment was made “at my request.”

The archbishop said that he had requested a coadjutor because he saw a need for help in light of the many activities planned for the Newark archdiocese. He declined to elaborate.

Archbishop Myers-- who has steadily defended his own handling of sex-abuse complaints, and claimed that “false and misleading” media reports have been directed at him because of his defense of Church teachings—claimed that the topic of sexual abuse was “ever part of any discussion” in his talks with the Vatican about the appointment of a coadjutor, “and I don’t think that there are substantiated reasons for them doing so.”

 

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Further information:

• Newark Archbishop Denies That Criticism Led to Moves (AP)
• Coadjutor appointed for embattled Archbishop Myers in Newark (CWN, 9/24)