John Reiss, Retired Bishop of Trenton, Dies

Bishop John C. Reiss, the former leader of the Catholic Diocese of Trenton, died Sunday.

Reiss, who was 89, died at Morris Hall, an assisted living and nursing facility in Lawrenceville.

"Although Bishop Reiss was unable to communicate easily in recent years, I had several occasions to visit with him and pray at his bedside in Morris Hall in Lawrenceville since arriving in the diocese almost two years ago," said current Bishop David M. O’Connell in a prepared statement.

Reiss served as bishop of Trenton for 17 years, until reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75 in 1997. He was succeeded by Bishop John M. Smith, who retired in 2010.

Born in Red Bank on May 13, 1922, Reiss was the only priest in diocesan history to serve as both an auxiliary bishop and then bishop in his home diocese.

Reiss studied religion at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., entering Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington, in 1941. He would return to Catholic University in 1950 to pursue a doctorate in canon law—the law of the Catholic church.

He served as a parish priest and pastor in a number of churches in the diocese, as well as auxiliary bishop, before being appointed bishop by Pope John Paul II in 1980.

Reiss led the diocese as the Ocean and Monmouth county areas experienced rapid growth. He oversaw the opening of eight new parishes, including St. Luke, Toms River; Immaculate Conception Korean Parish, Eatontown; St. John the Baptist, Long Branch; St. William the Abbott, Howell; and St. Maximilian Kolbe, Berkeley.

"All of this gives a glimpse—but only a glimpse—of a much bigger person: a good and holy priest; a kind and effective bishop; a wonderful shepherd who lived the gospel after the pattern of the Lord Jesus," O'Connell said. "May he find a rich reward for his life and ministry."

A public viewing will take place Thursday at 3 p.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, 151 N. Warren Street, Trenton.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by O'Connell at 11 a.m. Friday, also at St. Mary of the Assumption.