John Walter Flesey (born August 6, 1942) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. Flesey served as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark in New Jersey from 2004 to 2017.


John Walter Flesey
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Newark
Titular Bishop of Allegheny
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseNewark
AppointedMay 21, 2004
InstalledAugust 4, 2004
RetiredOctober 16, 2017
Other post(s)Titular Bishop of Allegheny
Orders
OrdinationMay 13, 1978
by Thomas Aloysius Boland
ConsecrationAugust 4, 2004
by John J. Myers, Michael Angelo Saltarelli, and Arthur J. Serratelli
Personal details
Born (1942-08-06) August 6, 1942 (age 81)
MottoMy spirit rejoices
Styles of
John Walter Flesey
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Biography edit

Early life edit

John Flesey was born on August 6, 1942, in Jersey City, New Jersey to Joseph and Mary MacIsaac. He attended St. Aedan’s Grammar School, then went to St. Peter's Preparatory School, both in Jersey City. In 1964, Flesey received a Bachelor of History degree from St. Peter's College in Jersey City.[1]

After graduating from college, Flesey entered Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, remaining there until 1969. During this period, he received a Master of Pastoral Counseling degree from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.[2][1]

Priesthood edit

On May 31, 1969, Flesey was ordained a priest by Archbishop Thomas Aloysius Boland for the Archdiocese of Newark.[1][3] After his ordination, Flesey was assigned to pastoral work at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish in Plainfield, New Jersey, spending 14 years there. In 1983, he entered the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, obtaining a Licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1985. Returning to New Jersey, Flesey was assigned to Immaculate Conception Seminary as a faculty member.[2]

In 1990, Flesey returned to Rome to obtain his Doctor of Sacred Theology degree from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Back in New Jersey, he returned to teaching at the seminary and in 1995 was appointed rector, serving for five years. After a sabbatical year in Italy, Flesey was appointed director of ongoing formation for the priests in the archdiocese.[2][1] He also returned to work at the seminary as spiritual director.[4]

Auxiliary Bishop of Newark edit

On May 21, 2004, Pope John Paul II appointed Flesey as an auxiliary bishop of Newark as well as titular bishop of Allegheny. He was consecrated at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey, by Archbishop John Myers on August 4, 2004.[3]

As auxiliary bishop, Flesey served as regional bishop of Bergen County, New Jersey, and as pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.[2][1]

Retirement edit

On October 16, 2017, Pope Francis accepted Flesey's letter of resignation as auxiliary bishop of Newark, submitted when Flesey reached the mandatory retirement age of 75, as required under canon law.[5][3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Bishop Flesey". Archdiocese of Newark. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  2. ^ a b c d "Most Rev. John W. Flesey". Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  3. ^ a b c "Bishop John Walter Flesey [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  4. ^ "Seton Hall's Seminary-Rectors". Seton Hall University. 2015-07-23. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  5. ^ "Pope Accepts Resignation of Auxiliary Bishop of Newark | USCCB". www.usccb.org. Retrieved 2021-12-13.

External links edit

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Auxiliary Bishop of Newark
2004–2017
Succeeded by
Preceded by Roman Catholic Titular See of Allegheny
2004–present
Succeeded by
incumbent