Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt

“The role of a bishop is to teach, to shepherd and to sanctify.”

 

Full name: Lawrence Eugene Brandt

 

Born: March 27, 1939, Charleston, W. Va.

 

Ordained: Dec. 19, 1969, St. Peter's Basilica, Rome

 

Appointed bishop of Greensburg: Jan. 2, 2004, by Pope John Paul II

 

Ordained and installed as bishop of Greensburg: March 4, 2004, Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg

 

Languages spoken: German, French, Italian and Spanish

 

Always fascinated by priests, Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt remembers playing one as a child. Using his small workbench as an altar, Necco wafers as hosts and one of his father’s architectural manuals as the lectionary, he would play the role of priest and one of his two sisters would be his altar server during a make-believe Mass.

 

“I had known many wonderful priests,” Bishop Brandt said, recalling the Capuchin pastors that served both Christ the King Parish in his native Dunbar, W.Va., and Sacred Heart Parish in Charleston, W.Va.

“They were dedicated, good priests who were often guests at our home.”

 

With good clergy role models and the faith of his family as a guide, it was natural to consider the priesthood, said Bishop Brandt.

 

~ From the diocesan Web site

> Learn more about Bishop Brandt's coat of arms, vestments/symbols, or visit his media center.