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Bernard Shlesinger

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Bernard Edward Shlesinger
Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
ArchdioceseAtlanta
AppointedMay 15, 2017
InstalledJuly 19, 2017
Orders
OrdinationJune 22, 1996
by Francis Joseph Gossman
ConsecrationJuly 19, 2017
by Wilton Daniel Gregory, Luis R. Zarama, and Michael Francis Burbidge
Personal details
Born (1960-12-17) December 17, 1960 (age 63)
EducationVirginia Tech
Catholic University of America
Pontifical North American College
Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
MottoChristum oportet crescere
(Christ must grow)
Styles of
Bernard Edward Shlesinger
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Bernard Edward "Ned" Shlesinger III (born December 17, 1960) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He was appointed as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta in Georgia in 2017.

Biography

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Early life

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Bernard Shlesinger III was born on December 17, 1960, in Washington, D.C. to Bernard E. “Bill” Shlesinger Jr. and Rita Belmont Shlesinger. Bill Shlesinger was an inventor and attorney. Bernard Shlesinger has two brothers and three sisters.[1][2]

Shlesinger attended Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Virginia, then entered Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, with plans to become a farmer. While at Virginia Tech, he started pilot training through the college.[1][3]

After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering in 1983, Shlesinger entered the US Air Force as a commissioned officer. As a pilot, he flew Lockheed C-130E Hercules air transport planes out of Pope Field in Fayetteville, North Carolina. While in the Air Force, he started serving as a catechist for Reverend Richard Higgins, then a military chaplain.[2][3][1]

In 1990, Shlesinger retired from the Air Force with the rank of captain and started studying for the priesthood. He first studied philosophy at the Theological College of Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Shlesinger then went to Rome reside at the Pontifical North American College. Shlesinger was awarded a Bachelor of Theology degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome in 1995. He then studied for a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.[2][3]

Priesthood

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St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania

After returning to North Carolina, Shlesinger was ordained a priest on June 22, 1996, by Bishop Francis Gossman at St. Mark Church in Wilmington, North Carolina, for the Diocese of Raleigh.[4] After Shlesinger's ordination, the diocese assigned him that same year as parochial vicar at St. Mary Parish in Wilmington. Two years later, in 1998, the diocese appointed him as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Newton Grove, North Carolina, along with the position of assistant director of vocations for the diocese.[2][3]

In 2007, the diocese moved Shlesinger out of Our Lady of Guadalupe to become the director of vocations and seminarian formation. Between 2010 and 2012, he also served as the diocesan administrator of Maria, Reina de las Americas Parish in Mount Olive, North Carolina. [2][3]

In 2013, Shlesinger left Raleigh to become director of spiritual formation at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.[2][3]

Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta

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On May 15, 2017, Pope Francis appointed Shlesinger as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.[3][5] He was consecrated by Cardinal Wilton Gregory at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta on July 19, 2017, with Bishops Michael Francis Burbidge and Luis Rafael Zarama Pasqualetto serving as co-consecrators.[4]

As an auxiliary bishop, Shlesinger is responsible for Region II of the archdiocese.[6]

Coat of arms

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Based on the arms of Shlesinger's home diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina, by reversing the color to be red on silver (white), is a cross of the faith that is composed of eight diamonds (heraldically called “lozenges”). Upon these lozenges is a gold escutcheon (small shield within the major shield) that is charged with the symbolism of the Sacred Heart. To the lower right, base sinister, is a blue “M,” of the Virgin Mary, taken from the arms of Pope John Paul II.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Golden, Nichole (August 3, 2017). "Siblings support their youngest brother as he becomes Atlanta bishop - Georgia Bulletin". georgiabulletin.org. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Most Reverend Bernard E. Shlesinger III". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta | Atlanta, GA. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Keane, Judy (May 15, 2017). "Pope Francis Names Priest as New Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Bishop Bernard Edward ("Ned") Shlesinger III [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  5. ^ "New Auxiliary Bishop Named for The Archdiocese of Atlanta". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. Retrieved May 15, 2017. [dead link]
  6. ^ "Archbishop's Office". | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
2017–Present
Succeeded by