John George Bennett (January 20, 1891—November 20, 1957) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana from 1945 until his death in 1957.

Biography

Early life

John Bennett was born in Dunnington, Indiana, and studied at St. Joseph's College and St. Meinrad Seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Herman Joseph Alerding for the Diocese of Fort Wayne on June 27, 1914. After his ordination, Bennett served as a curate at St. Peter Parish in Fort Wayne, Indiana (1914–1927), as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Garrett, Indiaian (1927–1944), and defensor vinculi of the diocese (1929–1944).

Bishop of Lafayette

On November 11, 1944, Bennett was appointed as the first bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Lafayette by Pope Pius XII. He received his episcopal consecration on January 10, 1945, from Bishop John F. Noll, with Bishops Francis Cotton and John O'Hara, serving as co-consecrators. John Bennett died on November 20, 1957, at age 66.

Episcopal succession