Bernard Devlin (Roman Catholic Bishop)
Encyclopedia
Bernard Patrick Devlin was an Irish
clergyman
of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as fifth Bishop
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar
from 1985 to 1998.
, County Cork
, Republic of Ireland
on 10 March 1921, the only son of Richard and Mary (née Hill). His education began in 1927 at the Loreto Convent
in Youghal and he later attended the Christian Brothers
School in 1933. Devlin finished completed his schooling in 1939 at the Cistercian College
in Dublin and concluded his ecclesiastical studies
in 1945 at the Pontifical Beda College in Liverpool
.
a priest
on 9 December 1945 at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist
, Portsmouth
, United Kingdom
. Shortly after he arrived in Gibraltar
on 29 June 1946. Devlin was appointed Parish Priest of St. Theresa's Church in 1974 and Vicar General
of the Diocese
in 1975. On 20 October 1984 it was announced that he would succeed the late Edward Rapallo as Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar
and this was later confirmed on 14 November of that year.
He, together with six other priests from around the world, was ordained bishop
by Principal Consecrator
Pope John Paul II
and co-consecrators Cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo
and Cardinal Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy on 6 January 1985 at St. Peter's Basilica
, Vatican City
. A group of over 200 people travelled from Gibraltar to the Vatican City to witness the event.
Devlin retired as Bishop of Gibraltar on 14 February 1998 and was succeeded by Bishop Charles Caruana
on 24 May of the same year.
, Archbishop Michael George Bowen
invested Bishop Devlin as a Knight Commander
(with star) of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
.
He was created Commander
of the Order of St Michael and St George
by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Devlin was also bestowed with the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar, and as such, was later entered into the Roll of Recipients of the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour
in 2008.
, where his body lay in state
until his funeral
. The coffin bearing his body was then transferred to the City Hall
at 4:30pm on 17 December from where it was carried in procession
by members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment
and essential services
to the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned via Parliament. The procession was headed by the drums and bagpipes of the Gibraltar Sea Scouts and flanked by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre
, behind the Knights of St Gregory the Great
, and local and visiting clergy including the Bishop of Cádiz
and priests from the Campo de Gibraltar
. A funeral mass
was celebrated at 5:00pm in the Cathedral by Bishop Ralph Heskett
. The congrgation was headed by Governor of Gibraltar
Sir Adrian Johns
, Chief Minister of Gibraltar
Peter Caruana
, Leader of the Opposition Joe Bossano
and other local dignitaries and representatives from various faiths. His body was later laid to rest in the Cathedral Crypt as is customary with Bishops.
Bishop Emeritus Devlin's death came just two months after the death of his successor as Bishop of Gibraltar, Charles Caruana.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
clergyman
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as fifth Bishop
Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar
The Bishop of Gibraltar is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar which is immediately subject to the Holy See.The see is in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar where the bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral of St...
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar
Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The Latin name for the diocese is Gibraltariensis. About twenty priests and nine sisters serve in the diocese...
from 1985 to 1998.
Early life and education
Devlin was born in YoughalYoughal
Youghal is a town in County Cork, Ireland. Sitting on the estuary of the River Blackwater, in the past it was militarily and economically important. Being built on the edge of a steep riverbank, the town has a distinctive long and narrow layout...
, County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
on 10 March 1921, the only son of Richard and Mary (née Hill). His education began in 1927 at the Loreto Convent
Sisters of Loreto
The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, more commonly known as the Loreto Sisters , is a women's Catholic religious order founded by an Englishwoman, Mary Ward, in 1609 at Saint-Omer in northern France...
in Youghal and he later attended the Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
School in 1933. Devlin finished completed his schooling in 1939 at the Cistercian College
Cistercian nuns
Cistercian nuns are female members of the Cistercian Order, a religious order belonging to the Roman Catholic branch of the Catholic Church.-History:...
in Dublin and concluded his ecclesiastical studies
Ecclesiology
Today, ecclesiology usually refers to the theological study of the Christian church. However when the word was coined in the late 1830s, it was defined as the science of the building and decoration of churches and it is still, though rarely, used in this sense.In its theological sense, ecclesiology...
in 1945 at the Pontifical Beda College in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
.
Priesthood
Devlin was ordainedOrdination
In general religious use, ordination is the process by which individuals are consecrated, that is, set apart as clergy to perform various religious rites and ceremonies. The process and ceremonies of ordination itself varies by religion and denomination. One who is in preparation for, or who is...
a priest
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
on 9 December 1945 at the Cathedral of St John the Evangelist
Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, Portsmouth
The Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Portsmouth, England. It is the mother church of the Portsmouth Diocese and seat of the Bishop of Portsmouth, currently the Right Reverend Crispian Hollis...
, Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Shortly after he arrived in Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
on 29 June 1946. Devlin was appointed Parish Priest of St. Theresa's Church in 1974 and Vicar General
Vicar general
A vicar general is the principal deputy of the bishop of a diocese for the exercise of administrative authority. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular...
of the Diocese
Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The Latin name for the diocese is Gibraltariensis. About twenty priests and nine sisters serve in the diocese...
in 1975. On 20 October 1984 it was announced that he would succeed the late Edward Rapallo as Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar
Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar
The Bishop of Gibraltar is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar which is immediately subject to the Holy See.The see is in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar where the bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral of St...
and this was later confirmed on 14 November of that year.
He, together with six other priests from around the world, was ordained bishop
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
by Principal Consecrator
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
and co-consecrators Cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo
Eduardo Martínez Somalo
Eduardo Martínez Somalo is a Spanish Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church.-Early life and ordination:Martínez Somalo was born in the small town of Baños de Río Tobía in La Rioja, Spain, and had five brothers and four sisters...
and Cardinal Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy on 6 January 1985 at St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
, Vatican City
Vatican City
Vatican City , or Vatican City State, in Italian officially Stato della Città del Vaticano , which translates literally as State of the City of the Vatican, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of...
. A group of over 200 people travelled from Gibraltar to the Vatican City to witness the event.
Devlin retired as Bishop of Gibraltar on 14 February 1998 and was succeeded by Bishop Charles Caruana
Charles Caruana
Charles Caruana CBE was a Gibraltarian Roman Catholic bishop of Maltese descent. He was appointed sixth Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar on 14 February 1998 and ordained on 24 May 1998. His retirement request was accepted on 18 March 2010...
on 24 May of the same year.
Awards
On 30 March 1985, at a ceremony held at the Cathedral of St. Mary the CrownedCathedral of St. Mary the Crowned
The Cathedral of Saint Mary the Crowned is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Gibraltar. It is the primary centre of Catholic worship in the Diocese of Gibraltar.-15th Century:The original building of the current cathedral was built during the Spanish period...
, Archbishop Michael George Bowen
Michael George Bowen
Michael George Bowen is a British prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Southwark from 1977 to 2003, having previously served as Bishop of Arundel and Brighton.-Biography:...
invested Bishop Devlin as a Knight Commander
Knight Commander
Knight Commander is the second most senior grade of seven British orders of chivalry, three of which are dormant . The rank entails admission into knighthood, allowing the recipient to use the title 'Sir' or 'Dame' before his or her name...
(with star) of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
Order of the Holy Sepulchre
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a Roman Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the pope. It traces its roots to Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, principal leader of the First Crusade...
.
He was created Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
of the Order of St Michael and St George
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Devlin was also bestowed with the Freedom of the City of Gibraltar, and as such, was later entered into the Roll of Recipients of the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour
Gibraltar Medallion of Honour
The Gibraltar Medallion of Honour is a civil award scheme established by the Government of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Its creation was announced in July 2008 by Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Peter Caruana...
in 2008.
Death
Bishop Emeritus Devlin died at the age of 89, in the early morning of 15 December 2010 at the Cathedral's Clergy House. By noon his body had been moved to St. Theresa's Church by Monsignors Paul Bear and Charlie Azzopardi and other clergy, escorted by two riders of the Royal Gibraltar PoliceRoyal Gibraltar Police
The Royal Gibraltar Police is, along with the Gibraltar Customs, the principal civilian law enforcement agency in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It is the oldest Police force in the Commonwealth of Nations outside the United Kingdom....
, where his body lay in state
Lying in state
Lying in state is a term used to describe the tradition in which a coffin is placed on view to allow the public at large to pay their respects to the deceased. It traditionally takes place in the principal government building of a country or city...
until his funeral
Funeral
A funeral is a ceremony for celebrating, sanctifying, or remembering the life of a person who has died. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember the dead, from interment itself, to various monuments, prayers, and rituals undertaken in their honor...
. The coffin bearing his body was then transferred to the City Hall
Gibraltar City Hall
The Gibraltar City Hall is the city hall for Gibraltar, centrally located within the city at the west end of John Mackintosh Square. It is the official residence of the Mayor of Gibraltar.-History:...
at 4:30pm on 17 December from where it was carried in procession
Procession
A procession is an organized body of people advancing in a formal or ceremonial manner.-Procession elements:...
by members of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment
Royal Gibraltar Regiment
The Royal Gibraltar Regiment is the home defence unit for the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. It was formed in 1958 from the Gibraltar Defence Force as an infantry unit, with an integrated artillery troop.-Formation:...
and essential services
Essential services
Essential services may refer to a class of occupations that have been legislated by a government to have special restrictions in regard to labour actions - Such as not being allowed to legally strike....
to the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned via Parliament. The procession was headed by the drums and bagpipes of the Gibraltar Sea Scouts and flanked by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre
Order of the Holy Sepulchre
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem is a Roman Catholic order of knighthood under the protection of the pope. It traces its roots to Duke Godfrey of Bouillon, principal leader of the First Crusade...
, behind the Knights of St Gregory the Great
Pope Gregory I
Pope Gregory I , better known in English as Gregory the Great, was pope from 3 September 590 until his death...
, and local and visiting clergy including the Bishop of Cádiz
Roman Catholic Diocese of Cadiz y Ceuta
The Roman Catholic diocese of Cádiz y Ceuta is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in Spain. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Seville....
and priests from the Campo de Gibraltar
Campo de Gibraltar
The comarca of the Campo de Gibraltar is a comarca in the province of Cádiz, Spain, in the southwestern part of the autonomous community of Andalusia, the southernmost part of continental Western Europe...
. A funeral mass
Requiem
A Requiem or Requiem Mass, also known as Mass for the dead or Mass of the dead , is a Mass celebrated for the repose of the soul or souls of one or more deceased persons, using a particular form of the Roman Missal...
was celebrated at 5:00pm in the Cathedral by Bishop Ralph Heskett
Ralph Heskett
Ralph Heskett, C.Ss.R. is the Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar.He was educated from 1964-69 at Saint Aidan's, Sunderland, a Christian Brothers school. He was a seminarian from 1969-70, where he attended the Redemptorist Minor Seminary in Birmingham...
. The congrgation was headed by Governor of Gibraltar
Governor of Gibraltar
The Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar is the representative of the British monarch in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. The Governor is appointed by the British Monarch on the advice of the British Government...
Sir Adrian Johns
Adrian Johns
Vice Admiral Sir Adrian James Johns KCB, CBE, KStJ, ADC is the current Governor of Gibraltar and a former senior officer in the Royal Navy. His most senior naval posting was as Second Sea Lord from 2005 to 2008.-Career:...
, Chief Minister of Gibraltar
Chief Minister of Gibraltar
The Chief Minister of Gibraltar is the leader of the largest party elected to the Gibraltar Parliament, and is formally appointed by the Governor of Gibraltar, representative of the British Crown.-List of Chief Ministers:...
Peter Caruana
Peter Caruana
Peter Richard Caruana, QC is a Gibraltarian politician, and has been Chief Minister of Gibraltar since 1996, when his party, the Gibraltar Social Democrats , first came to power. His party was re-elected to office in 2000, 2003 and 2007...
, Leader of the Opposition Joe Bossano
Joe Bossano
Joseph "Joe" John Bossano is a Gibraltarian politician, and the former leader of the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party. He was Chief Minister of Gibraltar from 25 March 1988 to 17 May 1996. He served as the Leader of the Opposition in the Gibraltar Parliament from its founding in 1978 until April...
and other local dignitaries and representatives from various faiths. His body was later laid to rest in the Cathedral Crypt as is customary with Bishops.
Bishop Emeritus Devlin's death came just two months after the death of his successor as Bishop of Gibraltar, Charles Caruana.