January 28, 1998
 The
Most Rev. Bernard J. Flanagan, D.D., 89, the second and longest-serving
Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese
of Worcester, passed away at the University of Massachusetts
Medical Center in Worcester, on Wednesday Jan. 28. Bishop
Flanagan was born in Proctor, Vt., and attended Proctor High
School where he graduated in 1924. Following his graduation
from Holy Cross in 1928, he completed his seminary studies
at the North American College in Rome. He was ordained on
Dec. 8, 1931. He received his doctorate in Canon Law from
Catholic University, Washington, D.C., in 1943.
Prior to receiving his doctorate, Bishop Flanagan was a
curate at St. Monica's
Parish in Burlington, Vt., and subsequently became pastor of St. Louis Parish
in Highgate, Vt. In May, 1943 he was named a domestic prelate by Pope
Pius XII, and he then served as chancellor of the Diocese of Burlington from
1943-53. In 1953, Bishop Flanagan was named the first bishop of the Diocese
of Norwich, Conn. Six years later, he succeeded Bishop Wright in Worcester
where he remained until his death. He is survived by three nieces and two cousins
and was predeceased by a brother, John, in 1963.
Known as a modern
bishop, Bishop Flanagan positioned the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester
for changes that will
continue into the new millennium including opening new
relationships with Protestant and Eastern Orthodox Churches
in Central
Massachusetts. Bishop Flanagan decided to enter the priesthood
during his junior year at Holy Cross. Rev. Gerard
Reedy, S.J., president of the College, issued the following
statement
upon learning of the death of Bishop Flanagan: "The entire
Holy Cross community is saddened by the death of Bishop
Flanagan, a member of the College's class of 1928. His
long service as bishop of Worcester was marked by his deep
commitment
to peace, social justice, and ecumenism. Bishop Flanagan
was also recognized , in the years following the Second
Vatican Council as one of the most conscientious bishops
in the nation
in implementing the teachings of the Council. In 1991,
Holy Cross instituted the Bishop Bernard J. Flanagan Lecture
on
Religion and Public Affairs to honor the bishop and his
lifelong dedication to peace and justice issues. He was
an inspiration
to students, faculty, and alumni at his alma mater. Bishop
Flanagan's Holy Cross family joins the Worcester community
in remembering this dedicated servant of Christ."
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