If the Vatican's Francis wanted the prime example of why no one trusts the Catholic Church in the USA, Exhibit #1 would be John J. Myers, former coadjutor bishop of Peoria, IL, and currently the Archbishop of Newark NJ.
While he held the position coadjutor, he knew of, covered up, protected, and coddled two infamous priests who were serial sex abusers of kids, Francis Engels and John Anderson. Both of them started fucking little kids in the 1990s. Even though he knew that the allegations were confirmed, Myers initially removed Anderson, then rehired him with a promotion to the directorship of Peoria's "Protector of the Faith" in 2002. It wasn't until Myers moved on to fuck over New Jersey that Anderson was finally and permanently removed from the church.
Engels screwed children repeatedly in the 1990s, until Myers' hand was forced by a series of newspaper reports which proved the long-standing sexual abuse. Even then, Myers tried to bring Engels back, and put him in charge of several children's programs until the public outcry reached the Vatican. Myers was quoted, "I never expected any backlash and was surprised by the reaction."
FROM THE CHURCH OF INEFFABLE STUPIDITY:
Myers' wily ways continued in New Jersey. Father Michael Fugee repeatedly fondled and fucked multiple children and teens, and was eventually convicted of sex abuse in 2003. Unfortunately, a part of his confession and admission of guilt was ruled inadmissible and prejudicial by an appellate court, and the conviction was overturned.
The prosecutors cut a deal with the Archdiocese, which gave Fugee a lifetime ban against having any contact with kids. Myers promptly ignored that deal and permitted Fugee attend kiddie retreats and counsel, minister and hear confessions of New Jersey's yutes. Last November, the Catholic Advocate newspaper announced that Father Michael Fugee had been appointed co-director of the office of Continuing Education and Ongoing Formation of Priests. He continued in his post as director of the Office of the Propagation of the Faith.
Again Myers proclaimed his shock that people would object to Fugee's attention to and work with innocent yutes. The cries across New jersey were so loud that major newspapers actually called for Myers to resign. Instead, Myers blamed those who complained for doing the work of the devil, and attacked them for questioning his judgment. Eventually, he canned Monsignor Doran, his second in command, and one of the most powerful priests in his organization.
http://www.nj.com/...
Another Monsignor, Robert Chabak was convicted of sex crimes under Myers' reign in 2004. Yet, Myers permitted Chabak to stay at the rectory, and continue to have contact with kids attending various church functions. Chabak's best friend and fellow priest,Rev. Thomas Iwanowski conceded that he may have made a mistake by arranging for Chabak to stay in the rectory of his Bergen County parish. "Hindsight is 20-20," he admitted.
Myers again defended the church's actions saying that Chabak deserved compassion, not exclusion from the parish. He attacked those who complained, calling them " simply evil, wrong, immoral, and seemingly focused on their own self-aggrandizement."
Reasonable estimates suggest that over 2,000 kids were abused in the parishes and archdiocese where Myers was in charge since the late 1980s.
Myers made the New York Times today, and lucky for him no children were injured by him or in the writing of the article.
You have to realize that with the millions that Newark has paid out in legal fees and child abuse settlements, it is now pleading poverty. Myers is actively closing catholic schools to save money, pushing parishioners' into public schools.
Given his track record, that might be something to celibate. Ah . . . .CELEBRATE.
At the same time, he is building a luxury addition to what will become his retirement mansion, 3000 additional square feet, (the existing home was only 4500 square feet) costing at least $500,000, not including architects fees or furnishings, but equipped with hot tubs, indoor swimming pool, (it already had an outdoor pool). three fireplaces, and an elevator.
Let's see. Frank dropped the palatial estates of the Vatican and lives in a two room apartment in a cheap priest's hotel. He dropped his Pope-mobile and drives a used Ford. He has called for poverty among the ranks of his army, and to live simply.
A private elevator, indoor pool, spa and hot tub certainly simplifies living, doesn't it?
A church so poor it has to close schools . . .
This is how this shit for brains, protector of sexual predators, and arrogant, obnoxious man describes himself:
Undertaking a vocation in priestly ministry spanning nearly 50 years, Archbishop John Myers has risen to one of the most revered positions in the Catholic Church, serving as spiritual leader of the Archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey, and its more than 1.5 million parishioners. Archbishop John Myers’ contributions also include working on a wide range of canon law projects and authoring numerous letters and scholarly articles.
During the 1980s to 1990s, Archbishop John Myers contributed to numerous workshops and symposia on canon law. Notably, he presented "The Law in the Life and Mission of the Church" during the International Canon Law Symposium in Vatican City in April 1993. Additionally, he conducted the Seminar on Diocesan Fiscal Officer in 1982 and the Symposium on Diocesan Governance from 1982 through 1985. He served on the faculty of canon law workshops for bishops of Regions I, IV, and V at the National Council of Catholic Bishops.
In addition to his work on canon law projects, Archbishop John Myers has shared his views and research in both secular and theological publications. He has drafted a number of pastoral letters throughout his career, including "The Obligations of Catholics and the Rights of Unborn Children," and "To Reach Full Knowledge of the Truth (I Timothy 2:24)." Additionally, his collection of articles includes "Vocations to the Sacred Priesthood," which appeared in the National Catholic Register in September 1993, and "Divorce, Remarriage, and the Reception of the Holy Eucharist," which appeared in The Jurist in 1997.
According to the article, Myers demands that you call him "Your Grace." That is odd, given how little of it he has shown all his life.