John William Comber
The Most Reverend John W. Comber, M.M. | |
|---|---|
Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America | |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| See | Titular See of Foratiana |
| Appointed | January 23, 1959 |
| In office | April 9, 1959 - January 12, 1976 |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | February 1, 1931 |
| Consecration | April 9, 1959 by Francis Spellman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 12, 1906 |
| Died | March 27, 1998 (aged 92) Ossining, New York |
John William Comber, M.M. (March 12, 1906 – March 27, 1998) was an
Early life and education
John Comber was born in
Priesthood
After his ordination Comber spent eleven years in the Maryknoll Mission at Fushun, China.[1] He learned to speak and write Mandarin fluently. After the outbreak of World War II Comber and his two sisters, Sr. Rita Clare, M.M., and Sr. Francis Helena, S.N.D. who were also missionaries in Japanese controlled territories, were interned by the Japanese military. They were among the second exchange of nationals repatriated to the United States in December 1943. After a period of recuperation, Comber was assigned to teach Mission Sociology at Maryknoll Seminary in January 1944 and five months later he became the school's rector. During his time as rector, 416 Maryknollers were ordained priests.[1] In 1953 he was assigned to the mission field in Peru, where he learned Spanish. The following year he was appointed Group Superior for the new Maryknoll Mission in Chile.
Comber was chosen as a delegate to the Fourth General Chapter of Maryknoll. On August 6, 1956, he was elected as the Fourth Superior General of the Society. During his ten years in office, Maryknoll experienced a period of rapid growth. They realized their largest number of members and mission commitments.
Episcopacy
John Comber was consecrated a bishop on April 9, 1959, in Queen of Apostles Chapel at Maryknoll Seminary by Cardinal
Later life and death
As his health declined Comber moved to the St. Teresa Residence in Ossining where he remained until his death. He died on March 27, 1998, at the age of 92. His funeral Mass was celebrated in the Queen of Apostles Chapel on April 1, 1998, by New York Auxiliary Bishop Patrick Sheridan. He was buried in the Maryknoll Center Cemetery.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Bishop John W. Comber, MM". Maryknoll Mission Archives. Archived from the original on 2014-02-22. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
- ^ "Bishops who are not Ordinaries of Sees". Giga-Catholic. Archived from the original on 2014-02-21. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
- ^ "Bishop John William Comber". Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved 2014-02-12.