Coadjutor appointed for embattled Archbishop Myers in Newark

September 24, 2013

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Bernard Hebda to be the coadjutor archbishop of Newark, New Jersey, eventually replacing Archbishop John Myers, who has come under heavy criticism for his handling of sex-abuse complaints.

The newly appointed coadjutor, a 54-year-old native of Pittsburgh, has been serving since 2009 as the Bishop of Gaylord, Michigan. He is a member of several committees within the US bishops’ conference—including, significantly, the Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People.

As coadjutor, Archbishop-elect Hebda will succeed Archbishop Myers when the latter steps down. At 72, Archbishop Myers is still 3 years short of the normative retirement age, but the appointment of a coadjutor could point toward an earlier transition.

The Vatican announcement of the Newark appointment did not indicate whether the coadjutor archbishop would be given any special responsibilities within the archdiocese, such as the handling of sex-abuse complaints.

 

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Further information:

• Report: NJ Archdiocese to Get 2nd Archbishop (AP)
• Pope Names Bishop Bernard Hebda of Gaylord Coadjutor Archbishop of Newark (USCCB)
• Pope Francis names Bernard Hebda as Coadjutor Archbishop of Newark (Vatican Radio)
• Other Pontifical Acts (VIS)
• Archbishop Myers, in letter to priests, denounces media coverage of abuse settlement (CWN, 8/20)