John Michael Fearns

[3] After his 1922 ordination, the archdiocese assigned Fearns as curate at New York parishes in New Rochelle, Rye, and St. Clare's School in Mount Hope.

[5] While continuing to serve as pastor at St. Francis, Fearns' duties included administrative affairs, presiding at confirmation and ordination ceremonies, and visitation.

In 1961, Fearn declared in a homily it would be immoral for any country, including the United States, to conduct atmospheric nuclear tests merely as a show of force to its enemies.

[3] In 1966, Spellman named Fearns to the newly created office of Episcopal Vicar for Orange and Rockland Counties.

[2] In an administrative innovation that resulted from the Second Vatican Council, he was one of six bishops appointed to devote more attention to the needs of local churches throughout the archdiocese[2] In a move towards decentralization, the bishops were given authority to rule on issues such as the undertaking of interfaith activities with non-Catholic churches that had before been the prerogative of the Archbishop's office.