ROCHESTER, Minn. (OSV News) — A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 6 at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Rochester for retired Bishop Bernard J. Harrington, the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, who died Aug. 30 at age 91.
“As bishop, he brought both pastoral vision and joyful energy to the diocese,” said one obituary. “Bishop Harrington lived his vocation with great seriousness, but also enjoyed many other interests,” including classical music, “a well-made Manhattan” and “was just as comfortable at a formal dinner as he was at a backyard barbecue.”
“Bishop Harrington lived a life of deep purpose, joyful presence and boundless faith,” it said.
Retired in 2009 at age 75
Appointed to head the 20-county diocese by St. John Paul II on Nov. 4, 1998, he served from Jan. 6, 1999, when he was installed, until his retirement in 2009 at age 75. Retirement came a month shy of the 50th anniversary of his ordination as a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit on June 6, 1959.
During his tenure as bishop, he oversaw many initiatives in the diocese, including calling forth the first cohort of deacons ordained for the diocese. He created the Seeds of Faith endowment for faith formation and Catholic school scholarships, and expanded services offered by Catholic Charities.
In his first pastoral letter for the diocese, titled “Alive in the Spirit: Living the Gospel Anew in the Third Christian Millennium,” he said parishes in the 21st century must be inviting and evangelizing communities that emphasize lifelong faith formation and genuine Christian stewardship.
Evangelizing is ‘basic mission of the church’
He outlined four pastoral initiatives designed “to make us more fully responsive to the basic mission of the church, which is to evangelize — that is, to transform humanity by bringing the good news of Jesus Christ into every human situation.”
Bishop Harrington urged the diocese’s parishes to:
— Become evangelizing parishes in which “every activity undertaken in the name of the church (is) evaluated and assessed in accordance with how well it promotes the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
— Make a transition “from ‘child-centered’ to ‘adult lifelong’ faith formation.”
— Become “truly ‘initiating communities’ to which more and more people are invited and communities where the process of conversion is alive and well for all.”
— Foster a mentality of stewardship, which he defined as “realizing that everything in my life is a gift from God: my abilities, my loved ones, my health — even life itself.”
‘Everything I am’ is ‘owed to the Lord’
“Such an awareness identifies everything I have, and everything I am, as owed to the Lord: my time, my talent and my treasure,” Bishop Harrington said.
In a 2009 interview with Catholic News Service, Bishop Harrington credited a diocesan stewardship campaign begun in 1999, as well as continuing lay education, with keeping the Winona-Rochester Diocese strong.
Bernard Joseph Harrington was born Sept. 6, 1933, the youngest of four children of the late John and Norah Harrington, who had immigrated from Bantry Bay in County Cork, Ireland, to Detroit.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, a bachelor’s degree in theology and master’s in divinity from St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan, and a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Detroit. He also did graduate work at The Catholic University of America in Washington.
Pastoral and educational roles
After his 1959 ordination to the priesthood, he served in a wide range of pastoral and educational roles: associate pastor of St. James Church in Ferndale; high school counselor; archdiocesan superintendent of schools; pastor of Holy Name Church in Birmingham; rector of Sacred Heart Seminary and president of Sacred Heart Seminary College. He also was president of the archdiocesan priests’ senate, 1987-89. In 1984 he was named pastor of St. Rene Goupil Church in Sterling Heights.
On Nov. 23, 1993, the pope appointed then-Father Harrington as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He chose as his episcopal motto, “Have Life More Abundantly,” from John’s Gospel.
As an auxiliary bishop, Bishop Harrington served as the archdiocese’s vicar for parishes and as episcopal liaison to the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, which was then under the care of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He also served as regional moderator for parishes in Macomb and St. Clair counties.
Today the center is the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.
Served on USCCB committees
On the national level, he served on the U.S. bishops’ lay ministry subcommittee and their education committee.
In retirement, Bishop Harrington enjoyed spending time with friends and family at his second home in Apopka, Florida, according to Detroit Catholic, the news outlet of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He loved gardening, golfing, skiing and classical music, among other hobbies. He was also proud of his Irish heritage and once served as grand marshal of Detroit’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
In 2023, Bishop Harrington returned to Michigan, where he received the support and care of nieces, nephews and caregivers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Jack and Tim, and his sister, Irene. He is survived by a large extended family of several nieces and nephews, and many grandnieces and grandnephews.
Contributing to this story was Detroit Catholic, the news outlet of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
