Bernard T. Espelage

Bernard Espelage was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Bernard and Clara (née Schottelkotte) Espelage.[1] He received his early education at parochial schools and Franciscan seminaries.[1] He was invested with the Franciscan habit on August 15, 1910, and made his profession as a member of the Franciscan Order on August 15, 1911.[1]

Espelage was ordained to the priesthood in Oldenburg, Indiana, on May 16, 1918.[2] He then served as a curate in Roswell, New Mexico, for a year before becoming chancellor of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in 1919.[1] In 1926, he earned a Licentiate of Canon Law from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.[1] Espelage served as rector of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi (1934-1939) and then returned to Oldenburg, serving as pastor of Holy Family Parish (1939-1940).[1]

On July 20, 1940, Pope Pius XII appointed Espelage as the first bishop of the Diocese of Gallup.[2] He received his episcopal consecration on October 9, 1940. from Archbishop John T. McNicholas, with Bishop Joseph H. Albers and Archbishop Joseph Ritter serving as co-consecrators.[2] Espelage attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome between 1962 and 1965. During his 29-year-long tenure, he increased the number of Catholics from 30,000 to 79,260; priests from 32 to 108; and parishes from 17 to 53.[3]

Espelage retired as Bishop of Gallup on August 25, 1969; he was named titular bishop of Penafiel by Pope Paul VI on the same date.[2] He later died at age 79.