Bishop Emeritus Bernard W. Schmitt, the seventh bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, died Aug. 16, 2011, at the age of 82 at Wheeling Hospital.
He served as bishop for more than 15 years from 1989 to 2004.
He was born Aug. 17, 1928, in Wheeling, the fourth of seven sons of Lawrence E. Schmitt and the former Eulalia R. Schiffer. His concern for and dedication to Christ and Catholic education were developed at a young age. Following his graduation from Corpus Christi School in Wheeling and Central Catholic High School in Wheeling, the young Bernard Schmitt discerned God’s call to priesthood and began his studies for the priesthood at St. Charles College in Catonsville, Md. He later attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. Later in life, he pursued a post-graduate degree in guidance and counseling at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
He was ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Wheeling May 28, 1955, by Bishop Thomas J. McDonnell. His first assignment as a priest was as associate pastor of the cathedral, while also serving as master of ceremonies to Archbishop John J. Swint. In 1963, he was appointed director of Vocations, director of the Propagation of the Faith and director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) for the diocese.
In 1966, Father Schmitt was appointed rector of St. Joseph Preparatory Seminary in Parkersburg, where he served until being appointed to his first pastorate at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in St. Albans. There, he was actively involved in the education and the formation of the students and families of St. Francis of Assisi Parish School. Father Schmitt was then appointed pastor of St. Michael Parish in Wheeling in 1982. He continued his active involvement in Catholic school education at the elementary and secondary levels.
On May 31, 1988, Pope John Paul II appointed Father Schmitt as Auxiliary Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston and Titular Bishop of Walla Walla. He was ordained to the episcopacy Aug. 1, 1988, and remained pastor of St. Michael Parish in Wheeling. The following year, March 30, 1989, Pope John Paul II chose Bishop Schmitt to succeed Bishop Francis B. Schulte as bishop of Wheeling-Charleston. On May 17, 1989, Bishop Schmitt was installed as the seventh bishop of Wheeling-Charleston. During his time as bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, 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.
On Aug. 17, 2003, his 75th birthday, Bishop Schmitt submitted his resignation as bishop of Wheeling-Charleston in accord with canon law. Pope John Paul II accepted his resignation Dec. 9, 2004. Bishop Schmitt was then elected as the diocesan administrator by the college of consultors. Bishop Michael J. Bransfield was then appointed as the eighth bishop of Wheeling-Charleston. Bishop Schmitt continued to serve the diocese in his retirement, celebrating confirmations, giving retreats and working with the Serra Club.