Former Wheeling-Charleston Bishop Dies At Age 82

http://www.wtov9.com/news/28879801/detail.html ^ | 8/16/2011 | WTOV

[Morgana]

WHEELING, W.Va. -- A long-serving former bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston died Tuesday, just one day before his 83rd birthday.

Bishop Emeritus Bernard W. Schmitt served as the diocese's seventh bishop from 1989 to 2004. During his time as bishop, Schmitt 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.

Schmitt was born and raised in Wheeling and graduated from Corpus Christi School and Central Catholic High School. Even throughout his retirement, Schmitt continued to serve the diocese and community by celebrating confirmations, giving retreats and working with the Serra Club.

Monsignor Frederick P. Annie, vicar general of the diocese, said, "It's a great loss. He touched a lot of lives all throughout the state, and especially in this city, and he will be missed. ... I think it will be his demeanor as bishop that will be most remembered. He was very approachable, very in touched with people and people felt comfortable in approaching him."

The faculty at Central Catholic gathered to pray after learning of Schmitt's death. Officials said Schmitt was frail and ill for about a year -- church officials said he'd been in and out of the hospital and a nursing home -- but the cause of his death was not immediately known. He died at Wheeling Hospital at 1:15 a.m.

[Morgana]

[Chode]

Prayers up... RIP

[sayuncledave]

Requiescat in pace, your Excellency.

[WVNan]

May God receive another saint. Morgana, I do believe that I met him a long time ago (1990-91)at the retreat center, Blessed John XXIII in Charleston. His name sounded familiar.
Thank you for the ping.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.