Community In Mercer County Remembers Retired Bishop
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) - A community in Mercer County is mourning the loss of a retired bishop who served in the Diocese of Trenton for nearly two decades.
John C. Reiss, who was Diocesan Bishop from 1980 until his retirement in 1997, died Sunday of unknown causes at Morris Hall in Lawrenceville. He was 89.
Bishop David M. O'Connell of the Trenton Diocese released a statement on Reiss' death:
"It is with sadness that I learned of the death of Bishop John C. Reiss, Eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton. 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. I have heard over and over again from our priests who knew him well that Bishop Reiss was a kind and humble man, known for his simplicity and gentle manner. "
Friends of the late bishop say he was very proud of his roots in the Diocese. Bishop Reiss was the only priest born in the Trenton Diocese to serve as both an auxiliary bishop and then bishop in his home diocese.
Friends also say for Bishop Reiss, one of the personal highlights during his 17 years as Bishop of Trenton occurred on Pentecost Sunday in 1989 when he solemnly opened the Fourth Diocesan Synod with a Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral Jan. 13, 1991.
Funeral ceremonies will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, 151 N. Warren Street, Trenton, N.J. The Rite of Reception of the Body will be celebrated at 3 p.m., Thursday, March 8, followed by a public viewing.
