His Excellency, The Most Reverend John Michael Fearns | |
|---|---|
| Auxiliary Bishop of New York Titular Bishop of Geras | |
| In office | 1957-1972 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | February 19, 1922 |
| Consecration | December 10, 1958 by Cardinal Francis Spellman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1897-06-25)June 25, 1897 New York City, US |
| Died | July 4, 1977(1977-07-04) (aged 80) New York City |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Education | Cathedral College University of the Propaganda Pontifical Gregorian University |
| Alma mater | St. Joseph's Seminary |
| Motto | Non excedit (It is not expedient) |
John Michael Fearns (June 25, 1897 – July 4, 1977) was an American clergyman of theRoman Catholic Church. He served as anauxiliary bishop of theArchdiocese of New York from 1957 to 1972.
John Fearns was born on June 25, 1897, inNew York City, and received his early education atCathedral College in Queens, New York. Deciding to become a priest, Fearns enteredSt. Joseph's Seminary inYonkers, New York.[1]
Fearns then travelled toRome to reside at thePontifical North American College while continuing his studies. He earned aDoctor of Sacred Theology degree after attending theUniversity of the Propaganda and thePontifical Gregorian University in Rome.[1][2]
Fearns wasordained to thepriesthood in Rome by CardinalBasilio Pompilj on February 19, 1922.[3] After his 1922 ordination, the archdiocese assigned Fearns ascurate at New York parishes inNew Rochelle, Rye, and St. Clare's School inMount Hope.[4]
Fearns was appointed as a professor ofmoral theology andcanon law at St. Joseph's Seminary in 1930. In 1940, he was named as rector of St. Joseph's. Fearns served as rector until 1956, when he was namedpastor ofSt. Francis de Sales Church in Manhattan.[1][4][2]
On November 4, 1957, Fearns was appointedauxiliary bishop of New York andtitular bishop of Geras byPope Pius XII.[3] He received hisepiscopalconsecration on the following December 10 from CardinalFrancis Spellman, with ArchbishopPatrick O'Boyle and BishopEdward Maginn serving asco-consecrators, atSt. Patrick's Cathedral.[3]
At his consecration, Fearns wore the samevestments worn by Spellman and Pius XII at their own consecrations.[5] While continuing to serve as pastor at St. Francis, Fearns' duties included administrative affairs, presiding atconfirmation and ordination ceremonies, and visitation.[1]
In 1961, Fearn declared in a homily it would be immoral for any country, including the United States, to conductatmospheric nuclear tests merely as a show of force to its enemies.[6] He stated,
"The justification of a given test depends on the importance of the new knowledge or practice that the test is expected to supply, balanced against the damage that the test will probably cause."[6]
Between 1962 and 1965, Fearns attended all four sessions of theSecond Vatican Council in Rome.[3] In 1966, Spellman named Fearns to the newly created office ofEpiscopal Vicar forOrange andRockland Counties.[2] In an administrative innovation that resulted from the Second Vatican Council, he was one of six bishops appointed to devote more attention to the needs of local churches throughout the archdiocese[2] In a move towards decentralization, the bishops were given authority to rule on issues such as the undertaking ofinterfaith activities with non-Catholic churches that had before been the prerogative of the Archbishop's office. Fearns later served as pastor of St. Patrick's Church inNewburgh, New York, until his retirement on August 12, 1972.[3][2]
Fearns died atSt. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan after a long illness, at age 80.[2]
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by – | Auxiliary Bishop of New York 1957–1972 | Succeeded by – |
