Renowned attorney, diocesan counsel remembered as model of truth, service
Msgr. Peter Joyce remembers well one of the last conversations he had with Martin F. McKernan Jr. Esq.
It was June 22, the Feast of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More, and Msgr. Joyce was visiting his friend in the hospital, six weeks to the day Mr. McKernan would pass away after a short illness.
“Saint John Fisher, a bishop, and Saint Thomas More, a lawyer and a judge, were executed by King Henry VIII – charged with treason for refusing to take an oath of supremacy to the king. It is recorded that at his execution, Thomas More was reported to have said, ‘I die the good king’s servant and God’s first,’” Msgr. Joyce recalled.
“During our visit, Martin raised this question with me: ‘Why is it that these were the only ones to go to their death?’ Meaning, what of the other bishops and lawyers and judges. Were these the only two in the land to align their lives with the truth they professed?
“I believe that Martin’s question reflected the principle that buttressed and animated the course and actions of his life. For I submit to us all, Martin lived his life as a witness to the truth and as a servant to the truth,” Msgr. Joyce, former diocesan chancellor and vice chancellor, preached Aug. 7 during the funeral Mass for Mr. McKernan in Christ our Light Church, Cherry Hill.
Family, friends, and faith and political dignitaries celebrated the life of Mr. McKernan, the attorney for the Diocese of Camden for nearly 50 years and senior partner in the law firm of McKernan, McKernan & Godino. He died Aug. 3 at age 75.
The Mass, which was livestreamed, was celebrated by Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan and concelebrated by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn, sixth bishop of Camden; Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen, and priests of the Diocese. Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., of Newark presided in choir and prayed the Final Commendation. Deacons and seminarians of the Diocese were also in attendance.
“As a Catholic lawyer, he served with distinction and fidelity the law, the Church in Camden, the Church in New Jersey and yes, the Church in the United States,” Bishop Sullivan said of Mr. McKernan.
“Whenever he left my presence, he would say, ‘Bishop give me your blessing,’” Bishop Sullivan said, recalling that in the week before Mr. McKernan’s death, he again asked for a blessing after having received the Sacrament of Communion.
“Martin,” the Bishop said, “You have been such a blessing to us. Rest in peace, rest in God’s peace forever.”
In his homily, Msgr. Joyce, pastor of Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish, Marmora, reflected on the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35, when Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. The disciples were dejected after witnessing his Death, but Jesus walked with the two, opening their eyes to his presence.
“He moved them from witnesses to his Death to witnesses of his Resurrection, and they, transformed by this encounter, return to Jerusalem in time to hear the Easter proclamation: ‘It is true. It is true,’” Msgr. Joyce preached.
“Martin based his life on this assertion, and he taught us that while there are no words for truth … that can fully capture its essence, it does not mean that truth cannot be known or that truth does not exist.
“Through Martin … we can see the just expression of some of truth’s great attributes,” he continued. “Each person here today is the recipient of and a witness to Martin’s remarkable and humble generosity. Martin’s generosity was one that took the initiative to seek out those with whom he might show and express his graciousness, particularly those who might go overlooked by others.
“In his actions, Martin gave a concrete expression to the belief that his talents, which were many, and his time, which was often stretched, were not his own, but rather gifts to be used in service for God and his people,” Msgr. Joyce said.
Dedicated Servant
Indeed, those gifts were reflected upon in the hours after friends and colleagues heard of Mr. McKernan’s death.
Mr. McKernan, a parishioner of Camden’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, grew up in Camden and Haddonfield. He had served the Diocese of Camden as legal counsel since 1978.
“Martin McKernan has been the chief legal counsel to five bishops of the Diocese of Camden, all of whom who relied upon his legal acumen for issues facing the Diocese, our schools, parishes and priests,” Bishop Sullivan said Aug. 4. “For the past 50 years, Martin was an advocate for every substantial legal happening involving the Church in South Jersey. No matter the time of day or the nature of the issue, he made himself available and provided detailed analysis.
“Martin never forgot the spiritual nature of our mission as Church,” Bishop Sullivan continued. “He understood that law and faith intersect, even in our country that embraces the separation between Church and state. His reputation as a Catholic lawyer was so great that he was called upon to assist in neighboring dioceses and dioceses around the country. The excellence of his service has been a gift to the Church.”
Bishop DiMarzio said Mr. McKernan was more than a diocesan attorney. “He was a well-respected lawyer throughout the State of New Jersey and beyond. A true Catholic layman, Martin was devoted not only to the pursuit of law, but also to the good of the Church.
“During my tenure as Bishop of Camden, I counted him as consultant and friend in good times and in difficult times, most especially during the beginning of the sexual abuse crisis,” he said. “Martin McKernan was always available when needed –calm, balanced and precise in his evaluation of legal issues. He will be greatly missed by so many, most especially his beloved family, colleagues at the law firm and countless friends.”
Cardinal Tobin agreed. “Martin McKernan was an unabashedly dedicated Catholic, a brilliant lawyer and a gentleman. He loved his family, faith community and justice. I shall miss him greatly and pray for the consolation of all who were touched by him, especially the Diocese of Camden.”
Having worked with Mr. McKernan for years, Bishop Checchio said it was evident that the attorney’s life was given fully to serving Christ and the Church.
“His service to the Diocese of Camden, especially in serving its bishops, both past and present, was truly a vocation for him,” Bishop Checchio said. “He knew the Lord had given him many gifts, and he shared those gifts and his knowledge freely … to better the lives of those around him and to further the mission of the Church.
“He was a strong supporter and an unwavering presence in the community, where he always desired to promote the common good,” Metuchen’s bishop continued. “His impact there will endure and his legacy will long be remembered, in particular, for his work to promote the right to life for the unborn, his assistance to the New Jersey Catholic Conference and his work helping to sustain Catholic education. I am grateful to have collaborated with him, to have learned from him, and to have counted him as one of my personal friends.”
For decades, Mr. McKernan was integral in the Diocese’s efforts to address the needs of priest sexual abuse survivors. Deacon Peter Traum, response officer in the diocesan Office Of Child And Youth Protection, said Mr. McKernan looked at his profession as a ministry.
“The Diocese just wasn’t a client to him, he cared so much about everyone,” Deacon Traum said. “In the area of youth protection, it was amazing how much he wanted to look after any victims to make sure they were heard from, yes, but also to do what was best.”
Father Robert Hughes, Diocese of Camden’s vicar general and moderator of the curia, was one of many to call Mr. McKernan a Christian gentleman of wise counsel.
“Martin’s knowledge of the history of the Diocese of Camden and his many connections throughout South Jersey and beyond have been invaluable to me in my role,” he said. “I enjoyed out chats and will miss him terribly as a mentor and friend. I’m sure he has heard clearly the Lord’s invitation: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant … come share your master’s joy.’”
Msgr. Thomas J. Morgan, a retired priest of the Diocese, agreed, saying legal services were a major part of Mr. McKernan’s spiritual path.
“Martin always encountered others with the utmost compassion and patience. His legal counseling was always done with the utmost respect, confidentiality and trust,” Msgr. Morgan said. “He lived simply. He cared deeply. Reaching out to others was the essence and heart of his journey.”
Mr. McKernan was named a Knight of St. Gregory by Pope John Paul II in 2003. In 1982, he received the papal gold cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. His father was the recipient of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in 1978, and was named a Knight of Saint Gregory in 1959 and a Knight Commander in 1964. His mother, Monica, was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice in 2002.
Kevin Hickey, executive director of Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden, said he would be forever grateful to Mr. McKernan for his kindness.
“This is a sad day for so many of us in South Jersey,” Hickey said. “Martin was, in addition to being a great attorney, so courteous. A gentle man with a love of history and storytelling. Just a great expression and manifestation of Catholicism and the Catholic imagination. He’s a kind of role model for me of Irish eloquence and elegance.”
“Martin was always my calm in the storm,” said Laura Montgomery, diocesan finance officer. “His counsel, wit, enduring faith and caring heart, for me, will never be replaced.”
Love of Law
Born in Philadelphia on Sept. 24, 1945, Mr. McKernan attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Camden and graduated from Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School, Philadelphia, in 1963. He entered Saint Francis Seminary in Loretto, Pa., in that year. He left the seminary to attend Saint Joseph’s University, from which he graduated in 1968. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1971 from Georgetown University, Washington.
Like his father before him, Mr. McKernan soon after found himself a lawyer in service to the Church, but was quick to always associate himself with many points of view.
Lloyd Levenson Esq. of the law firm Cooper Levenson, Atlantic City, first met Mr. McKernan 53 years ago, as fellow first-year law students in Georgetown University.
“Whenever I got into a sticky situation practicing law, I would always say, ‘What would Martin McKernan do,’ because I knew there was not a more ethical person practicing law than Martin. His ethics defined him,” Levenson said.
He called Mr. McKernan recommending him to work with the Camden Diocese a “leap of faith, because not many Catholic dioceses have Jewish lawyers.” Reflecting on the last time he saw his friend, in the days leading up to Mr. McKernan’s death, Levenson recalled the two reminiscing over fond memories.
“Martin got a big kick out of talking about one time, how there was an important meeting with lawyers and one of the previous bishops … and the bishop started calling out names to make sure the lawyers belonged there. Then they got to ‘Levenson’ and all these heads turned. The bishop said – which cracked up the whole room – ‘Even the Catholic Diocese needs a Jewish lawyer,’” Levenson said with a laugh.
Mr. McKernan was respected by those who knew him for decades and those who only recently came into his orbit. Richard D. Trenk Esq. worked as fellow counsel for the Diocese in its Chapter 11 proceedings. He said Mr. McKernan demonstrated integrity in all situations. “He always listened and evaluated every person and position fairly, justly and equitably. He had encyclopedic knowledge of everything within the Diocese and always sought to help others. I will truly miss him as a colleague, friend and leader. He demonstrated leadership by reason and compassion not by raising his voice.”
Mr. McKernan was a member of the executive committee of the National Diocesan Attorneys Association representing Region III, which includes Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, in addition to having served as a member of the Public Policy Committee of the New Jersey Catholic Conference.
He was also instrumental in establishing an area Saint Thomas More Society, working with then-Bishop James T. McHugh to bring together a community of Catholic lawyers from across the six counties of the Diocese.
As a supporter of Catholic education, Mr. McKernan served as a sponsor for numerous South Jersey Catholic Schools fundraisers and an advocate for their success. Former Diocese of Camden Superintendent Mary Boyle understood that well.
“I had the privilege of working with Martin for 15 years,” she said. “I remember times when Martin would leave vacation to meet in times of crisis for a school. Martin was a man of the Church, and I am sure he leaned on Saint Thomas More for guidance and inspiration. When anyone works as closely with the Church as Martin did, the strength of their faith becomes evident. Martin was a humble man with a quick wit. A graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep and Georgetown University, Martin would proclaim ‘this is above my pay grade’ while listening to the pastoral and educational perspective before giving his legal advice. The legacy of Martin McKernan and his father before him will be greatly missed.”
Mr. McKernan’s dedication to the community spanned nearly 50 years. After Georgetown University, he served in the 404th Civil Affairs Battalion of the U.S. Army Reserves in Trenton. From 1971 to 1974, Mr. McKernan was general counsel to the national Right to Life Committee, and in 1974, he was a founding member of the National Committee for a Human Life Amendment and served as a trustee since that time.
“I will miss him dearly. He was a man for all seasons and, as a friend, always available,” said Patrick R. Brannigan, former executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s Catholic bishops.
“As the executive director, I consulted Martin on every important decision that I made. He was a brilliant observer and legal analyst. If Martin is not in heaven, we all are in trouble,” said Brannigan, a deacon in Saint James Parish, Pennington, who also served with Mr. McKernan in the Reserves.
James King, current NJCC executive director, said Mr. McKernan’s love of God and neighbor is one of the qualities he will remember most. A memorable moment was when King first became NJCC’s interim director.
“I can’t recall a day that I wouldn’t call Martin, in some cases multiple times, seeking his counsel on various issues from legislation to office administration,” King said. “Understanding how busy Martin was with his responsibilities, I would end these calls with an apology for taking up so much of his time. Without hesitation, Martin would tell me that I should never think twice about calling him. His words provided me with a great deal of comfort as I was adjusting to my new position. I think the best way to honor Martin’s legacy is to strive every day to emulate his kindness, generosity, patience and respect for others.”
Distinguished Career
Admitted to the bar of the State of New Jersey and to the U.S. District Court of New Jersey in 1971, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in 1979 and the U.S. Supreme Court in 1997, Mr. McKernan served as Camden City attorney from 1974-1979. He was one of the original trustees of the Camden Center for Law and Social Justice in Camden – a faith-based nonprofit that provides legal assistance to immigrant and working poor communities. He was a trustee of Rowan University, Glassboro, and became a member on the board of trustees of Rowan’s Cooper Medical School. He was also an attorney for the Camden County Board of Social Services.
He served as counsel for the Audubon Mutual Housing Corporation, the Housing Authority of the City of Camden, the Parking Authority of the City of Camden, the City of Camden Redevelopment Agency, and the Camden County Board of Social Services. He has been a member of the Camden County Bar Association for all of his professional life, and served as a trustee from 1979-1981. He served as a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court District IV Fee Arbitration Committee from 1995-1999 and was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society.
He also served as chairman of the board of trustees of the Camden Free Public Library and as a commissioner of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority.
“Marty was a beacon over troubled waters, he was the lighthouse in a storm keeping so many friends and clients from foundering on the rocks. He became a dear friend and confidant to me from the moment I met him in 1988 and someone that I personally know dedicated his life to making Camden City a better place for our residents,” said former Camden Mayor Dana Redd.
“He was a gentleman and statesman at all times and treated everyone, from the janitor to the governor, with the same respect regardless of station,” she continued. “Whether it was providing free legal services, reviewing U.S. Supreme Court cases, or building new senior housing through the Church, he was one of the most thoughtful individuals I have ever known. … If there was a civic pursuit that made positive change in the city, you could probably find Marty working on its behalf as a board member or as counsel.
“There is no question in my mind that today marks a period where the world is a little darker because we no longer have Marty in it. That said, I know his light and legacy will shine on through the people he has helped over the years and the many lawyers he mentored and taught throughout his career,” said Redd, a graduate of Camden’s Sacred Heart Grammar School and Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, Pennsauken.
Added Camden’s Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr., “Martin’s love for New Jersey and the practice of law brought his impact to practically every sector of life in the Garden State. His commitment to the betterment of public life for residents in our community was rivaled only by his unlimited capacity for reflection, analysis and spirited debate. His loss will be profoundly felt throughout the institutions where he served and throughout the Diocese of Camden. We ask that the community join us in keeping Martin and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”
Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen reflected on Mr. McKernan’s life of service.
“Martin McKernan Jr. channeled his devout faith as a Roman Catholic and his unmatched expertise as a lawyer to better the lives of innumerable Camden residents,” he said. “He spent his life in service of others, serving in the U.S. Army Reserves, as Camden’s youngest city attorney, counsel for the Camden Redevelopment Agency, and as a lifelong advocate with dozens of committees, organizations, and working groups focused on law and public policy. We are deeply saddened to learn that this thoughtful, affectionate pillar of the city has passed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those he touched in our community.”
Expressing his condolences, Bishop Sullivan said, “May his family, friends, and associates in his firm find comfort from their faith and memories of this outstanding Catholic gentleman. I will not only miss his wise counsel, but also his sense of humor, hearty laugh and sincere friendship.”
Mr. McKernan is survived by his siblings Theresa Donahue of Bryn Mawr, Pa., and Regina Harm of Pittsburgh, as well as 12 nieces and nephews, and 10 great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Monica McKernan, and a sister, Monica Holland of Alexandria, Va. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum, 398 West Marlton Pike, Cherry Hill.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden, 1845 Haddon Ave., Camden, N.J., 08103; the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 642 Market St., Camden, N.J., 08102, or Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School, 1733 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, Pa., 19130.
Jennifer Mauro is the managing editor of Catholic Star Herald, the news site of the Diocese of Camden. Michael Walsh, associate publisher of the Catholic Star Herald, contributed to this article.
