#bishopmarkbrennan

Your Excellency: Congratulations, sir, on your retirement after life-long service to The Lord, to the Roman Catholic Church, and to the congregation of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. You were tossed into a very peculiar position when initially arriving in Wheeling because of the direct involvement of the Vatican and Archbishop William Lori from the “mothership” in Baltimore. There was an extremely dark, heavy cloud over the statewide diocese after a former leader sinned and sinned and sinned. Predatory behavior, sexual harassment, and financial mismanagement were the accusations found to be credible, and he makes it all worse by refusing to offer a proper apology to those he harmed in Wheeling and throughout the state of West Virginia. You, though, brought a calm with you, and you reminded Catholics what it meant to be Catholic. Instead of attracting criticism for indulgence, you set examples with your dedication to service and sacrifice. You’ve silenced the whispers, unified the structure, and you’ve given reason to many folks to have Faith again. No one will forget those past transgressions, Bishop Brennan, and the healing will continue beyond your tenure, but we truly believe you have performed a miracle here. Thank you for that. Sincerely, The Resurrected https://ledenews.com/most-reverend-evelio-menjivar-ayala-named-tenth-bishop-of-wheeling-charleston/ Read the full article

From Bishop Mark Brennan: As we look toward the coming weekend, weather forecasts indicate that severe winter conditions may affect much of our state and could make travel difficult or unsafe, particularly on Sunday. I wish to address this with pastoral care for the well-being of all entrusted to me. The Church teaches that our obligation to participate in Sunday Mass does not bind us when serious obstacles arise such as inclement weather or serious illness. Severe weather that endangers personal safety is such an obstacle. No one should feel compelled to place themselves in harm’s way. For those who are able to attend Mass safely, our parishes will make every reasonable effort to celebrate the liturgies as scheduled, though some adjustments may be necessary. Many of our priests live on site at the location of the parish and thus can easily walk to the church so there is no reason for them not to celebrate Mass. Depending on when the forecasted weather is expected to impact your region, attendance at an anticipatory Mass offered in many parishes on Saturday evening might be the best option for you to consider. I encourage you to check your parish’s website, social media, or voicemail for the most up-to-date information, such as schedule changes. Those who remain at home are invited to keep the Lord’s Day holy through prayer, reading of Sacred Scripture, participation in a televised or livestreamed Mass, reciting the Rosary and or performing acts of charity within your household or community. Let us pray especially for those who must work during the storm, especially road crews and first responders, for the elderly and homebound, and for all who may be vulnerable during this time of cold and uncertainty. May the Lord keep you safe, grant you peace, and remind you always of His nearness—whether on the road, in church, or at home. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend Mark E. Brennan Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston Read the full article

Thursday, November 27, 2025 Today, I join Catholic faithful across our Diocese and indeed every West Virginian in prayer for the two National Guard soldiers who were senselessly shot yesterday in our nation’s capital. During this Thanksgiving holiday, we united as Americans to give thanks to our Lord for our abundant blessings only He can provide. We pray particularly for the victims, their families, and all those who serve our nation so bravely. I deplore the use of violence to achieve any end within our world. I echo the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in proclaiming that violence is not the way forward for our people. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness:” he said, “only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." Sacred Scripture reminds us in Romans 12:21: "Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good." We must stop this descending spiral of violence in our country that increases hate rather than diminishing evil. Let us pray that this epidemic of violence in our country will end, and that every person; regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, country of origin, or political persuasion will see that it is only through coming together in peace to solve our differences will we be able to prosper together as one nation under God. —Most Rev. Mark E. Brennan, Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston Read the full article

The killing of George Floyd was an egregious act of violence with no justification whatsoever, all the worse for having been perpetrated by some police officers who are sworn to serve and protect their fellow citizens. Most law enforcement officials are decent men and women who train hard to restrain any violent impulses and to be respectful as they deal with the public. Mr. Floyd did not meet that kind of police officer the day he was killed. I join other Americans in prayer for Mr. Floyd, his family and friends and for the African American community of Minneapolis and throughout our country. Every human being is made in God’s image and likeness and deserves respect and fair treatment. The protests taking place in many US cities reflect the anger and frustration of millions of Americans who, to this day, experience racism in their daily lives. If I find abhorrent the resurgence of the ugly language, violence and racial discrimination I witnessed as a child, with how much more right do African Americans react against it! We American bishops addressed the issue of enduring racism in our society in our Pastoral Letter, Open Wide Our Hearts, in November, 2018 (usccb.org website). I urge you to read it. The justified protests currently underway must not be tainted by those who wish to spread violence or ruin the livelihoods of their neighbors. Such acts do not advance the cause of racial equality and respect for the human dignity of all. Pope St. Paul VI said, “If you want peace, work for justice.” Injuries to persons and destruction of property are not the work of justice and will not bring peace. Let us honor George Floyd and others who have died in similar incidents by working for true justice and an America in which, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, a person is “judged not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character.” Most Reverend Mark E. Brennan Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston Read the full article

Most Rev. Mark Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, will offer a special blessing for healthcare workers and other essential employees this week as he joins faithful throughout West Virginia in gratitude for their services.  Bishop Brennan will lead a prayer service and blessing, asking God—the Divine Physician—to surround our area health care workers as they care for those effected by the COVID-19 pandemic, at 2:45 p.m., Thursday, April 30, at Wheeling Hospital, 1 Medical Park, Wheeling.  On Friday, May 1, at 2:30 p.m. at Riesbeck’s Food Markets at 2485 National Road, Elm Grove Crossing, in Wheeling, Bishop Brennan will offer prayers and a special blessing for essential staff who work tirelessly to keep food and other items available to all.  Each service will be held outdoors where participants can maintain safe social distancing. All attendees are asked to wear masks during the services to ensure safety for all in attendance.  Media areas will be set for video opportunities and still photography. Both services will be streamed on the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston’s Facebook page.  As the faithful of West Virginia, it is our time to pause for prayer. Now more than ever our communities rely on our health care professionals and the loyal employees now deemed essential, which includes our grocers.  It is critical we respond to this time of fear with faith. We need to share our love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with others through prayer, actions, and words of comfort and hope. Read the full article