Bernard Joseph Flanagan (March 31, 1908 – January 28, 1998) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Norwich in Connecticut (1953–1959) and as bishop of the Diocese of Worcester in Massachusetts (1959–1983).

Biography

Early life

Bernard Flanagan was born on March 31, 1908, in Proctor, Vermont, to John B. and Alice (née McGarry) Flanagan. He studied at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. Flanagan was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Burlington by Cardinal Francesco Selvaggiani on December 8, 1931. He earned a doctorate in canon law from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1943. Flanagan then served as secretary to Bishop Edward Ryan and as chancellor of the diocese.

Bishop of Norwich

On September 1, 1953, Flanagan was appointed the first bishop of the Diocese of Norwich by Pope Pius XII. Flanagan received his episcopal consecration on December 3, 1953, in Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Burlington, Vermont, from Bishop Edward Ryan, with Bishops Vincent Waters and John Cody serving as co-consecrators. He was formally installed five days later, on December 8, in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Norwich. During his tenure, Flanagan oversaw the establishment of several secondary schools and parishes within his diocese.

Bishop of Worcester

Flanagan was named the second bishop of the Diocese of Worcester on August 8, 1959, by Pope John XXIII. Flanagan was installed by Cardinal Richard Cushing on September 24, 1959. Flanagan attended the Second Vatican Council in Rome from 1962 to 1965, and was an ardent supporter of ecumenism. He once declared, "'There are many paths that we can and must travel, as we work and pray for the fulfillment of Christ's prayer that 'all be one'. One of these paths is the association of yet separated Christian churches in local and regional councils.'"In 1973, the diocese joined the Worcester County Ecumenical Council, a predominantly Protestant organization. Flanagan also engaged in active dialogue with Archbishop Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Church in America.

Retirement

Pope John Paul II accepted Flanagan's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Worcester on March 31, 1983. Bernard Flanagan died on January 28, 1998, in Worcester at age 89.