Chris Smith: “Words are inadequate to convey my profound respect, admiration, and gratitude for Trenton Diocese Bishop Emeritus John…”

“Words are inadequate to convey my profound respect, admiration, and gratitude for Trenton Diocese Bishop Emeritus John Mortimer Smith, who celebrated his golden jubilee, an amazing 50 years as a Catholic priest, on May 22 at a mass attended by over 800 people at the St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton, New Jersey. The mass, concelebrated by several bishops, including Bishop David M. O'Connell, now bishop of Trenton, and several priests, including Bishop Smith's brother Father Andrew Smith, was filled with joy and reflection, befitting acknowledgement of a great servant of God. In his moving homily, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick noted that Bishop Smith is an ``extraordinary brother and an extraordinary friend. A man filled with faith, filled with zeal--zeal for the church, zeal for the people he serves, and, in a special way as a bishop, zeal for his priests.'' The cardinal said we are called to ``model Jesus Christ to our people and imitate Christ. Mort Smith,'' he continued, ``has lived it well.'' Cardinal McCarrick brought smiles and laughter throughout the cathedral when he said, ``I'm not here to canonize Bishop Smith, although that may come,'' and then went on to call Bishop Smith ``the world's greatest kibitzer'' due to his legendary penchant for telling stories, usually long, no usually very long, and happily, usually very funny. Once when I was about to give an address at the St.…”