The Catholic Diocese of Buffalo is mourning the loss of Bishop Bernard J. McLaughlin.
Bishop McLaughlin passed away Monday night at the age of 102. He was the second oldest bishop in the world.
Bishop McLaughlin was ordained into the priesthood in Vatican City in 1935. He attended the funeral of Father Nelson Baker at our Lady of the Basilica in Lackawanna in 1936.
In 1969, he was ordained a bishop by Pope Paul VI, making him the first bishop in the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo to be ordained a bishop by the Holy Father. He served as Bishop of the Diocese until 1988.
The leader of the Buffalo Catholic Diocese, Bishop Richard J. Malone said he lasted visited with Bishop McLaughlin shortly before Thanksgiving. "As in earlier conversations with him, he was interested in developments in the diocese, affirming of my own efforts, and expressed his availability to assist me in any way he could. I said to him, ‘Please just continue to pray for the diocese, especially for vocations and for the New Evangelization, and for me.’ His promise to do that was, along with his sterling witness as priest and bishop, the most precious gift he could give. Bishop McLaughlin was very prepared to encounter his Lord. May he rest in the peace and joy in God's loving presence," said Bishop Malone.
Over his lifetime, 11 bishops have lead the Diocese of Buffalo. He's credited with presiding over thousands of confirmations throughout Western New York.
Bishop McLaughlin is survived by his nephew, Father Robert Waters, a priest of the Diocese of Buffalo.
Funeral arrangements will be announced later this week.