The Most Rev. Bernard W. Schmitt, bishop emeritus of the Catholic
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, died Tuesday at Wheeling Hospital after a
brief illness.
Officials in the diocese said funeral arrangements are incomplete but are expected to be held in Wheeling.
Born
in Wheeling on Aug. 17, 1928, Schmitt served as diocesan bishop for 16
years, a tenure notable for his devotion to Christ, dedication to
Catholic education and commitment to ecumenism.
In retirement, he has
continued to serve the diocese by giving retreats and working with Serra
clubs.
Schmitt graduated from Corpus Christi Grade School and
Central Catholic High School, both in Wheeling. He began his studies for
the priesthood at St. Charles College, Catonsville, Md., and attended
St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. Later, he pursued a post-graduate
degree in guidance and counseling at Ohio University, Athens.
The
Wheeling native was ordained to the priesthood in 1955. His first
assignment was as associate pastor of St. Joseph Cathedral, Wheeling. In
1963, he was appointed diocesan director of vocations, director of
propagation of the faith and director of Confraternity of Christian
Doctrine.
In 1966, he was appointed rector of St. Joseph Preparatory
Seminary, Vienna, where he served until being named pastor of St.
Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, St. Albans.
After 10 years of
service in St. Albans, he was appointed pastor of St. Michael Catholic
Church, Wheeling, in 1982.
In his hometown, Schmitt earned a reputation
as a humble and capable church leader. He continued his active
involvement in Catholic education.
Schmitt was appointed auxiliary
bishop of the diocese on May 31, 1988 and was ordained a bishop on Aug.
1, 1988. That October, he was again appointed diocesan director of
vocations.
Schmitt was appointed as the seventh bishop of
Wheeling-Charleston on March 30, 1989 and was installed as diocesan
bishop on May 17, 1989.
During his time as bishop, he was
appointed to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on
Priestly Life and Ministry; the Committee on Marriage and Family and the
Catholic Campaign for Human Development Committee.
In the field
of ecumenism, Schmit served as a board member, vice president and
president of the West Virginia Council of Churches. He participated in
annual services with the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia and
recognized the Jewish faith with an annual service to remember
Kristallnacht, or "Night of Broken Glass," when Nazi troopers attacked
Jews throughout Germany and Austria the night of Nov. 9-10, 1938.
As
bishop, Schmitt was lauded as a great champion for Catholic schools.
One of the major projects that he launched was the restoration of the
Cathedral of St. Joseph, Wheeling.
Another long-held dream was realized
in 2003, with the opening of the West Virginia Catholic Heritage Center,
named in his honor in Wheeling.
Earlier this year, Schmitt was
inducted into the Wheeling Hall of Fame in the category of religion and
education. He also was the second recipient of the Wheeling YMCA's
"Light of the Valley" honor.
Schmitt submitted his resignation as
diocesan bishop on Aug. 17, 2003, in accordance with an age limit
established under canon law.
Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation
on Dec. 9, 2004.