Bernard T. Espelage

Bernard Theodore Espelage, O.F.M. (February 16, 1892—February 19, 1971) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church and member of the Franciscan Order. He was the first bishop of the Diocese of Gallup in New Mexico and Arizona, serving from 1940 until 1969.

The Most Reverend 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) Gallup, New Mexico, US
Education	Catholic University of America
Motto	Iter para tutum (Prepare a safe way)

Biography

Early life

Bernard Espelage was born on February 16, 1892, in Cincinnati, 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 the vicar apostolic of the Diocese of Wuchang in 1930.^[3] Bernard received his early education at parochial schools and Franciscan seminaries, including St. Francis Seminary.^[4][5] He was invested with the Franciscan habit on August 15, 1910, and made solemn vows in 1914.^[4][6]

Priesthood

Espelage was ordained to the priesthood for the Franciscans in Oldenburg, Indiana, on May 16, 1918 by Bishop Joseph Chartrand.^[7] After his ordination, the Franciscans assigned Espelage as a curate at a parish in Roswell, New Mexico. In 1919, he was named chancellor of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, also serving as secretary to Albert Daeger, the bishop of that archdiocese.^[4][1] In 1926, Espelage earned a Licentiate of Canon Law from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.^[4] Espelage served as rector of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi from 1934 to 1939. The Franciscans then returned him to Oldenburg to serve as pastor of Holy Family Parish there.^[4]

Bishop of Gallup

On July 20, 1940, Pope Pius XII appointed Espelage as the first bishop of the newly formed Diocese of Gallup.^[8] He received his episcopal consecration at St. Monica Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 9, 1940, from Archbishop John T. McNicholas, with Bishop Joseph H. Albers and Archbishop Joseph Ritter serving as co-consecrators.^[8] Espelage attended all four sessions of the Second 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]

Retirement and legacy

Espelage retired as bishop of Gallup on August 25, 1969; he was named titular bishop of Penafiel by Pope Paul VI on the same date.^[8] Espelage died in Gallup on February 19, 1971 at age 79.^[9]