John P. Croneberger
Encyclopedia
John P. Croneberger is a retired bishop
of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He was formerly the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Newark
(based in Newark
, New Jersey
).
at the Church of the Atonement in Tenafly, New Jersey
in June 1998 when he was elected as Bishop of Newark. He was consecrated as Bishop Coadjutor on November 21 of the same year.
Croneberger succeeded Bishop John Shelby Spong
on February 26, 2000 in an installation ceremony at Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral, Newark.
As diocesan bishop, he continued Spong's agenda of radical inclusion. Croneberger directed the creation of an established liturgy for the blessing of same-sex relationships, oversaw the massive diocesan response to the September 11 attacks, and brought Christ Hospital in Jersey City
back under diocesan control. On accepting homosexual practice by Anglicans
, Croneberger said:
Croneberger also established a Canon for Congregational Development who is helping churches with the challenging task of planning for the future.
On April 6, 2005, he announced his intention to retire in January 2007, citing the health of his wife, Marilyn.
The diocese held a special convention to elect his successor on September 23, 2006. Mark Beckwith, the rector of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Worcester, Massachusetts
, was elected on the third ballot.
Croneberger has since become an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Bethlehem.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He was formerly the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Newark
Episcopal Diocese of Newark
The Episcopal Diocese of Newark is a diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America comprising the northern third of New Jersey in the United States...
(based in Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
).
Life
Croneberger was serving as rectorRector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
at the Church of the Atonement in Tenafly, New Jersey
Tenafly, New Jersey
Tenafly is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 14,488. Tenafly is an affluent suburb of New York City....
in June 1998 when he was elected as Bishop of Newark. He was consecrated as Bishop Coadjutor on November 21 of the same year.
Croneberger succeeded Bishop John Shelby Spong
John Shelby Spong
John Shelby "Jack" Spong is a retired American bishop of the Episcopal Church. He was formerly the Bishop of Newark . He is a liberal Christian theologian, religion commentator and author...
on February 26, 2000 in an installation ceremony at Trinity & St. Philip's Cathedral, Newark.
As diocesan bishop, he continued Spong's agenda of radical inclusion. Croneberger directed the creation of an established liturgy for the blessing of same-sex relationships, oversaw the massive diocesan response to the September 11 attacks, and brought Christ Hospital in Jersey City
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
back under diocesan control. On accepting homosexual practice by Anglicans
Anglican views of homosexuality
Since the 1990s, the Anglican Communion has struggled with controversy regarding homosexuality in the church. In 1998, the 13th Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops passed a resolution stating that homosexual acts are "incompatible with Scripture". In 2002, the Diocese of New Westminster, in the...
, Croneberger said:
- "Supporting" inclusion "may be more important than unity within the worldwide Anglican communion."
Croneberger also established a Canon for Congregational Development who is helping churches with the challenging task of planning for the future.
On April 6, 2005, he announced his intention to retire in January 2007, citing the health of his wife, Marilyn.
The diocese held a special convention to elect his successor on September 23, 2006. Mark Beckwith, the rector of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
, was elected on the third ballot.
Croneberger has since become an assistant bishop in the Diocese of Bethlehem.