Herbert Bevard Explained

Honorific-Prefix:His Excellency, The Most Reverend
Herbert Armstrong Bevard
Bishop Of:Bishop Emeritus of Saint Thomas
Archdiocese:Washington
Diocese:Saint Thomas
Appointed:July 7, 2008
Enthroned:September 3, 2008
Retired:September 18, 2020
Predecessor:George Murry
Successor:Jerome Feudjio
Ordination:May 20, 1972
Consecration:September 3, 2008
Consecrated By:Donald Wuerl, Joseph Edward Kurtz, and Daniel Edward Thomas
Birth Date:February 24, 1946
Birth Place:Baltimore, Maryland
Religion:Roman Catholic Church
Motto:Sub tuum praesidium
(Beneath thy protection)
Ordained By:John Krol
Herbert Armstrong Bevard
Dipstyle:

Herbert Armstrong Bevard (born February 24, 1946) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as bishop of the Diocese of Saint Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands from 2008 until 2020.

Biography

Early life

Herbert Bevard was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on February 24, 1946. He converted from Presbyterianism to Catholicism in 1964, when he was a high school senior.[1] After deciding to become a priest, Bevard entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.[2]

Bevard was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal John Krol for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia in 1972. Bevard was created as monsignor in 2003 and was stationed in Philadelphia as episcopal vicar for the city's northern half.

Bishop of Saint Thomas

Bevard was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands on July 7, 2008, by Pope Benedict XVI. Bevard was consecrated on September 3 2008 in Charlotte Amelie at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul by Archbishop Donald Wuerl. The principal co-consecrators were Archbishop Joseph Kurtz and Bishop Daniel Edward Thomas.

Bevard was instrumental in raising funds for the restoration of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. In trips to the Continental United States, he worked to raise money for schools and charities within the diocese. After the two hurricanes hit the Virgin Islands in 2017, Bevard allowed the conversion of a diocesan retreat center on St. Croix into a homeless shelter.[3]

On July 6, 2020, aware of his deteriorating health, Bevard sent a letter of resignation as bishop of Saint Thomas to Pope Francis. Soon after that, Bevard was hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center in Charlotte Amalie. In mid-August 2020, he was airlifted to a hospital in North Carolina for advanced treatment.

Pope Francis accepted Bevard's resignation on September 18, 2020, and appointed Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington to temporarily run the diocese as apostolic administrator.[4] [5]

Bevard currently resides in Wilmington, North Carolina.[6]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bishop Herbert Armstrong Bevard [Catholic-Hierarchy]]. 2022-01-17. www.catholic-hierarchy.org.
  2. Web site: September 18, 2020 . Pope accepts resignation of Bishop Bevard of Virgin Islands . 2022-01-17 . Catholic Philly . en-US.
  3. Web site: Retired V.I. Bishop Leaves Rich Legacy St. Thomas Source . 2024-08-13 . stthomassource.com.
  4. News: Pope accepts resignation of Bishop Bevard of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Catholic News Agency. Crux. September 18, 2020. September 19, 2020.
  5. Web site: Staff. SUZANNE CARLSON Daily News. Bishop Bevard retires citing health, age. 2022-01-17. The Virgin Islands Daily News. en.
  6. Fewel . John Matthew . December 27, 2020 . November 2020 . A Reflection on Bishop Herbert Armstong Bevard's Twelve Years of Spiritual Leadership of the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands . Catholic Islander.