John Palmer Croneberger (August 25, 1938 – February 23, 2023) was an American clergyman of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. He served as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Newark (based in Newark, New Jersey).
Biography Croneberger was serving as rector 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.New York Times, June 7, 1998 "Episcopalians Pick Successor For Bishop" (AP) Abstract retrieved from on August 30, 2006The Bishop of Newark home page . Retrieved on August 30, 2006 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. On accepting LGBTQ inclusion in the Episcopal Church, Croneberger said:Harmon, Kendall. 2005. The Guardian, February 19, 2005 Anglicanism at the crossroads. Also at Kendall Harmon's blog. Retrieved on August 30, 2006. "Supporting" inclusion "may be more important than unity within the worldwide Anglican communion."
On April 6, 2005, he announced his intention to retire in January 2007, citing the health of his wife, Marilyn.Bishop Croneberger's Letter Announcing a Call for the Election of the Tenth Bishop of Newark . Also at . Retrieved on August 30, 2006
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.Notice of Special Convention to Elect the 10th Bishop. Retrieved on August 30, 2006.
Croneberger also served as an Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem.The Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem Team Directory
John Croneberger died in Leesport, Pennsylvania, on February 23, 2023, at the age of 84.
References
External links Bishop of Newark website