Bernard Joseph McLaughlin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Excellency, The Most Reverend Bernard Joseph McLaughlin |
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|---|---|
| Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo | |
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| See | Buffalo |
| In Office | 1968–1988 |
| Other posts | Titular Bishop of Mottola (1968–2015) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | December 21, 1935 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 19, 1912 Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 5, 2015 (aged 102) Tonawanda, New York, U.S. |
Bernard Joseph McLaughlin (born November 19, 1912 – died January 5, 2015) was an American leader in the Catholic Church. He served as a special kind of bishop called an Auxiliary Bishop for the city of Buffalo, New York. He also held a special title as the Titular Bishop of Mottola.
Contents
About Bernard McLaughlin
His Early Life and School Days
Bernard Joseph McLaughlin was born on November 19, 1912. His hometown was North Tonawanda, New York. His parents were Michael Henry and Mary Agnes McLaughlin.
When he was a baby, he was baptized at Ascension Church. Later, his family moved to Buffalo, New York. There, he went to the parish school at Visitation Parish. In 1925, he started at the Preparatory Seminary in Buffalo. This was a school for young men who wanted to become priests. He was part of the first group to graduate from this school. Five years later, he traveled to Rome, Italy. He attended a special college there called the Urban College for the Propagation of the Faith.
Becoming a Priest and His Work
Bernard McLaughlin became a priest in Rome on December 21, 1935. This special ceremony took place at St John Lateran Basilica. He stayed in Rome for six more months to continue his studies. Then, he returned to Buffalo.
On August 14, 1936, he started working as an assistant at St. Joseph New Cathedral. He worked there until June 1942. After that, he became the secretary for the church's legal department, called the diocesan Tribunal. In 1946, he became the assistant chancellor. Soon after, he became the vice chancellor of the diocese. On December 16, 1953, he became the chancellor of the diocese.
In November 1950, he was chosen to start a new church, or parish. This church was called Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was located on the West Side of Buffalo. He continued his duties as chancellor while also being a pastor. In June 1961, he moved to become the pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Kenmore, New York. He stayed there until 1972. Then, he became the pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, also in Kenmore.
Bernard McLaughlin received several special honors from the Vatican. On April 6, 1950, Pope Pius XII gave him the title of Very Reverend Monsignor. Three years later, he was given an even higher title: Right Reverend Monsignor. On December 4, 1967, Pope Paul VI gave him the title of Prothonotary Apostolic. Besides his work as chancellor, he was also a member of important church boards. He was a diocesan Consultor and a vicar general.
Becoming an Auxiliary Bishop
On December 28, 1968, Bernard McLaughlin was chosen to be an Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo. He officially became a bishop on January 6, 1969. Pope Paul VI himself led this special ceremony. This was a very important moment. It was the first time a priest from the Buffalo diocese was made a bishop by a pope. At the same time, he was named the Titular Bishop of Mottola.
Bishop McLaughlin also helped with many other things. He worked as an advocate for the diocesan Tribunal. He taught about work ethics at the Diocesan Labor Management College. He also started several Labor schools at churches. He was a chaplain for the Catholic Guild for the Blind. He also served as a secretary for the Diocesan Synod. On September 14, 1968, he was made a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. This honor was given to him at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.
Later Years and Passing
On January 15, 1988, Pope John Paul II accepted Bishop McLaughlin's retirement. Church rules say that bishops should retire when they turn 75. When his retirement was accepted, he became the Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Buffalo. This means he was a retired Auxiliary Bishop.
Bishop McLaughlin passed away on January 5, 2015. He was 102 years old. He died in Tonawanda, New York.
See also
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo
