Joseph Bernard Brunini facts for kids

Joseph Bernard Brunini (born July 24, 1909 – died January 7, 1996) was an American leader in the Roman Catholic Church. He was the bishop of the Diocese of Jackson in Mississippi from 1967 to 1984.

About Joseph Brunini

Early Life and Education

Joseph Brunini was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, on July 24, 1909. He was the sixth child of John and Blanche Brunini. His father, John, was a lawyer whose parents were Italian immigrants. His mother, Blanche, was Jewish.

Joseph went to St. Aloysius High School in Vicksburg. After high school, he studied at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and earned a degree in 1930. He then continued his studies in Rome, Italy, at the Pontifical North American College and the Pontifical Urbaniana University. He received a degree in sacred theology in 1931.

Becoming a Priest

While in Rome, Joseph Brunini became a priest on December 5, 1933. He was ordained by Cardinal Francesco Selvaggiani for the Diocese of Natchez.

After returning to the United States, Brunini finished his studies at the Catholic University of America. He earned a special law degree in 1937. He then went back to Mississippi. He worked at St. Mary's Cathedral in Natchez, first as an assistant priest and later as the main priest in 1943.

He was given special titles within the church, such as "privy chamberlain" in 1944 and "domestic prelate" in 1948. He also held important roles like "chancellor" (from 1941 to 1951) and "vicar general" (from 1951 to 1957) for the diocese. In 1949, he became the main priest at St. Peter's Cathedral in Jackson.

Serving as Bishop

On November 28, 1956, Pope Pius XII chose Brunini to be an assistant bishop for the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson. He was also given the honorary title of Bishop of Axomis. He officially became a bishop on January 29, 1957. Bishop Richard Gerow led the ceremony. Even as a bishop, Brunini continued to serve as vicar general and the main priest at St. Peter's Cathedral.

When Bishop Gerow retired, Pope Paul VI appointed Brunini as the main bishop of the Diocese of Natchez-Jackson on December 2, 1967. He was the first person born in Mississippi to hold this important position.

During his time as bishop, he strongly supported the civil rights movement. He believed that religious leaders should act first to bring about change. He helped start and became the first president of the Mississippi Religious Leadership Conference. This group brought together religious leaders to work for civil rights.

The name of the diocese changed from Natchez-Jackson to the Diocese of Jackson on March 1, 1977. Brunini remained its bishop.

Retirement and Later Life

After serving for sixteen years as Bishop of Jackson, Joseph Brunini retired on January 24, 1984. He passed away on January 7, 1996, at the age of 86, while attending a meeting in Convent, Louisiana.

Succession as Bishop