DETROIT — Bishop Bernard Joseph Harrington, the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, and a former Detroit auxiliary bishop, died Aug. 30 at the age of 91.
A visitation will be held for Bishop Harrington from 2-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 1368 N. Crooks Road, Clawson, with a rosary at 7 p.m. Bishop Harrington's funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, at Holy Name Parish in Birmingham.
Additional services and burial will take place in Minnesota.
A native of Detroit, Bishop Harrington was born on Sept. 6, 1933, the youngest of four children of John and Norah (Cronin) Harrington, immigrants from Bantry Bay, County Cork, Ireland. He studied at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth before being ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit on June 6, 1959, by Cardinal John F. Dearden.
Later, Bishop Harrington earned a master's degree in education from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. A lifelong learner, he also studied at the University of Notre Dame, Ohio State University, and the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
As a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit, Bishop Harrington served in several parish assignments, including as pastor of St. Rene Goupil Parish in Sterling Heights (1984-94), pastor of Holy Name Parish in Birmingham (1974-76), and associate pastor of St. James Parish in Ferndale (1959-63).
From 1965 to 1970, he served as superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Detroit, which operated more than 300 schools in southeast Michigan. From 1976 to 1984, he served as rector of Sacred Heart Seminary, concurrently serving as director of priestly vocations for the archdiocese.
On Nov. 23, 1993, Pope St. John Paul II appointed then-Fr. Harrington as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He was ordained to the episcopacy along with fellow Auxiliary Bishop Kevin M. Britt on Jan. 6, 1994, by then-Archbishop Adam J. Maida at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.
Bishop Harrington chose as his episcopal motto, “Have Life More Abundantly,” from John’s Gospel.
As an auxiliary bishop, Bishop Harrington served as the archdiocese’s vicar for parishes and as episcopal liaison to the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., which was then under the care of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He also served as regional moderator for parishes in Macomb and St. Clair counties.
On Nov. 4, 1998, Pope St. John Paul II appointed Bishop Harrington as the seventh bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, where he was installed exactly five years after his episcopal ordination on Jan. 6, 1999.
As Winona-Rochester’s bishop, Bishop Harrington oversaw the first ordination class of permanent deacons for the diocese, and created endowments for faith formation and Catholic school scholarships, among other initiatives. He also spearheaded the expansion of services offered by the diocese’s Catholic Charities.
At a national level, Bishop Harrington chaired the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Education, and served on the bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee on Catholic Bishops and Catholic Politicians, as well as the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee.
On May 7, 2009, Bishop Harrington was succeeded as bishop of Winona-Rochester by another Detroit native and former auxiliary, Bishop John M. Quinn.
In retirement, Bishop Harrington enjoyed spending time with friends and family at his second home in Apopka, Florida. He loved gardening, golfing, skiing and classical music, among other hobbies. He was also proud of his Irish heritage and once served as grand marshal of Detroit's St. Patrick's Day Parade.
In 2023, Bishop Harrington returned to Michigan, where he received the support and care of nieces, nephews and caregivers.
Bishop Harrington is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Jack (Marge) and Tim (Kathleen), and his sister Irene. He is survived by many nieces and nephews, including Kathy (Joe) Lehrter, Colleen (Kevin) Fitzpatrick, Maureen (Gordie) Sherry, Kathleen (Kevin) Carney, Tim (Lori) Harrington, Mary Pat (Mike) O’Malley, Patrick Harrington, Peggy (Gabriel) Shivers, Michael (Maria) Harrington, and Shelagh (Craig) Gleeson; many grand nieces and nephews; and his priest friends Fr. Leo Phalen and Fr. Richard Cassidy.
Memorial contributions can be made to Angela Hospice, 14100 Newburgh Road, Livonia.
