Bernard Theodore Espelage O.F.M. | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Gallup Titular Bishop of Penafiel | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Diocese of Gallup |
| Successor | Jerome J. Hastrich |
| Other post | Titular Bishop of Penafiel |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 16, 1918 by Joseph Chartrand |
| Consecration | October 9, 1940 by John T. McNicholas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1892-02-16)February 16, 1892 Cincinnati, Ohio, US |
| Died | February 19, 1971(1971-02-19) (aged 79) |
| Education | Catholic University of America |
| Motto | Iter para tutum (Prepare a safe way) |
Bernard Theodore Espelage,O.F.M. (February 16, 1892—February 19, 1971) was an Americanprelate of theCatholic Church and member of theFranciscan Order. He was the first bishop of theDiocese of Gallup in New Mexico and Arizona, serving from 1940 until 1969.
Bernard Espelage was born on February 16, 1892, inCincinnati,Ohio. He was one of the six children of Clara and Bernard Espelage.[1][2] His older brother,Sylvester Espelage, also entered the Franciscan order and became thevicar apostolic of theDiocese of Wuchang in 1930.[3] Bernard received his early education atparochial schools andFranciscanseminaries, includingSt. Francis Seminary.[4][5] He was invested with the Franciscanhabit on August 15, 1910, and madesolemn vows in 1914.[4][6]
Espelage wasordained to the priesthood for the Franciscans inOldenburg,Indiana, on May 16, 1918 by BishopJoseph Chartrand.[7] After his ordination, the Franciscans assigned Espelage as acurate at a parish inRoswell,New Mexico. In 1919, he was namedchancellor of theArchdiocese of Santa Fe, also serving as secretary toAlbert Daeger, the bishop of that archdiocese.[4][1] In 1926, Espelage earned aLicentiate of Canon Law from theCatholic University of America inWashington, D.C.[4] Espelage served asrector of theCathedral of St. Francis of Assisi from 1934 to 1939. The Franciscans then returned him to Oldenburg to serve aspastor of Holy Family Parish there.[4]
On July 20, 1940,Pope Pius XII appointed Espelage as the firstbishop of the newly formed Diocese of Gallup.[8] He received hisepiscopalconsecration at St. Monica Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 9, 1940, from ArchbishopJohn T. McNicholas, with BishopJoseph H. Albers and ArchbishopJoseph Ritter serving asco-consecrators.[8] Espelage attended all four sessions of theSecond Vatican Council in Rome between 1962 and 1965. During his 29-year-long tenure as bishop, he increased the number of Catholics from 30,000 to 79,260; priests from 32 to 108; and parishes from 17 to 53.[9]
Espelage retired as bishop of Gallup on August 25, 1969; he was namedtitular bishop of Penafiel byPope Paul VI on the same date.[8] Espelage died in Gallup on February 19, 1971 at age 79.[9]
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) CS1 maint: publisher location (link)| Preceded by none | Bishop of Gallup 1940—1969 | Succeeded by |
