Extra! Extra! New Bishop for West Virginia: Most Rev. Mark E. Brennan

Baltimore Auxiliary Bishop Mark E. Brennan has been named by Pope Francis to head up the
Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. Can anything good come out of Baltimore? Let's hope so. Let's pray so.

Short bio of Bishop Brennan here.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE 7/23: I received this email today from a friend in West Virginia commenting on Bishop Brennan's background. What do you think?

Born: 2/6/47 Boston

Ordained: 5/15/75 by Archbishop William Baum in Washington

Went to public grade school, junior high

Went to St. Anthony Catholic High School

Earned B.A. degree in History  from Brown University

Priestly studies at Christ the King seminary in Mass.

Earned B.A. in Theology at Pontifical college, Rome

Earned M.A. Theology at Pontifical College, Rome

Archbishop Lori consecrated him an auxiliary  bishop

1. He 72 ½ years old. Mandatory retirement age in 75
2. He is a New Englander who attended public schools during  his early years
3. He switched to a High School
4. He attended Christ the King seminary for the first part of his priesthood studies.
5. Then, his bishop sent him to Rome to earn BA in Theology and MA in Pastoral Theology
6. Lori consecrated him,a bishop

Observations: it’s unusual for,a bishop to have gone to public school, although he did switch to a Catholic High School.

The seminary he attended is Christ the King and  is a somewhat “light weight” seminary.

Whereas it was expected those who would become bishops have a PhD, Brennan did his advanced studies in Rome where he earned a BA in Theology and an MA in “pastoral theology” (which used to be considered a light weight subjects)

My observations:

That he attended public school and was considered for bishop position is surprising.

Christ the King seminary is not known for its heavy weight thinkers.

It appears he got someone’s attention while at Christ the King seminary who was responsible for sending him to Rome for studies. Those who attend school in Rome are usually favored for higher positions in the Church. However, those who climb normally have higher degrees that what Brennan has. I would conjecture that someone higher up had their eye on him.

He was ordained a priest in Washington BEFORE Teddy MCCarrick arrived but it is significant that he was there for his ordination.

He was consecrated a bishop by Arch. Lori which means he will be influenced to some extent by his thinking.

He will likely only be here for two and one half years until which time  he is required by canon law to retire.

So why send someone, his age here?

1. He is known to be a nice guy who is humble.
2. It is said that he speaks well.
3. But why didn’t they send someone younger who would be here longer?
4. Either they were “short-handed” or wanted to send someone whom Rome considers a ”peace-maker” to win back people’s confidence and stabilize the mess left by Bransfield. If that’s the case, and I suspect it is, we’ve got two and one years with Bishop Brennan.