Bernard Joseph Flanagan (March 31, 1908 – January 28, 1998) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut (1953–1959) and as bishop of the Diocese of Worcester in Massachusetts (1959–1983).
Biography
Early life Bernard Flanagan was born on March 31, 1908, in Proctor, Vermont, to John B. and Alice (née McGarry) Flanagan. He studied at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
Priesthood Flanagan was ordained to the priesthood in Rome for the Diocese of Burlington by Cardinal Francesco Selvaggiani on December 8, 1931. He earned a doctorate in canon law from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1943."Bishop Flanagan Installed in New Norwick Diocese", The Catholic Standard and Times, Vol. 59, Number 11, 11 December 1953 Flanagan then served as secretary to Bishop Edward Ryan and as chancellor of the diocese.
Bishop of Norwich On September 1, 1953, Flanagan was appointed the first bishop of Norwich by Pope Pius XII. Flanagan received his episcopal consecration on December 3, 1953, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington, Vermont, from Bishop Edward Ryan, with Bishops Vincent Waters and John Cody serving as co-consecrators. He was installed on December 8, in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Norwich. During his tenure, Flanagan oversaw the establishment of several secondary schools and parishes within his diocese.Diocese of Norwich. A Brief History of the Diocese of Norwich
Bishop of Worcester Flanagan was named the second bishop of Worcester on August 8, 1959, by Pope John XXIII. Flanagan was installed by Cardinal Richard Cushing on September 24, 1959. Flanagan attended the Second Vatican Council in Rome from 1962 to 1965, and was an ardent supporter of ecumenism. He once declared, "There are many paths that we can and must travel, as we work and pray for the fulfillment of Christ's prayer that 'all be one'. One of these paths is the association of yet separated Christian churches in local and regional councils."In 1973, the diocese joined the Worcester County Ecumenical Council, a predominantly Protestant organization.Telegram & Gazette. May 22, 2007 Flanagan also engaged in active dialogue with Archbishop Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Church in America.St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Catholics attend Orthodox service January 23, 2006
Retirement Pope John Paul II accepted Flanagan's resignation as bishop of Worcester on March 31, 1983. Bernard Flanagan died on January 28, 1998, in Worcester at age 89.
See also
Catholic Church hierarchy Catholic Church in the United States Historical list of the Catholic bishops of the United States List of Catholic bishops of the United States Lists of patriarchs, archbishops, and bishops
References
External links Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester