Jean-Baptiste Brondel

Jean-Baptiste Brondel (b. at Bruges, Belgium, 23 February1842; d. at Helena, Montana, U.S.A., 3 November1903) was a Belgian-American Catholic priest, who became the first Bishop of Helena, Montana, U.S.A.

Life

He was educated at the American College of the University of Louvain and ordained priest at Mechlin, Belgium, by Cardinal Engelbert Stercks (17 December, 1864). Two years later he volunteered for the missions in the United States and was made rector of the church at Heilacoon, Washington Territory, early in 1867. Here he remained for nearly ten years and was then transferred to Walla Walla, but returned to his old charge the following year.

On 14 December, 1879, he was consecrated at Victoria, as third Bishop of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in succession to Bishop Charles-Jean Seghers, who had been made coadjutor to the Archbishop of Oregon City. Bishop Brondel retained this charge until by a Bull of 7 April, 1883, he was appointed Administrator of the Vicariate of Montana, When the Diocese of Helena was formed he was transferred to that see, 7 March, 1884, as its first bishop.

His popularity among Native Americans was utilized on numerous occasions by the United States Government. He was buried 7 November, 1903, in a vault under the cathedral in Helena.

References

*"Catholic News" files (New York, Nov., 1903);
*Reuss, "Biog. Encycl. Cath. Hierarchy" (Milwaukee, 1898);
*"Catholic Directory" (Milwaukee, 1904)