A former leader of the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg has passed away.
Bishop Emeritus Lawrence E. Brandt died Sunday, according to an announcement from the diocese. He served from 2004 to 2015 as the fourth bishop of the Diocese. He was cited by the diocese for leading it through several changes, including improvements to their finances and addressing the declining number of Catholics. Early in his time with the diocese, he established three vocation prayer chapels, including one in Indiana, to raise awareness for prayer to help increase vocations. He also launched the “Today’s Challenge—Tomorrow’s Hope” capital campaign in 2009 that raised $55 million, and established the Diocesan Poverty Relief Fund in 2010 to help the poor and needy.
Current bishop of the diocese Larry Kulick said that Brandt encouraged him to study canon law, and called him “incredibly disciplined, but that only fostered his spirituality and his ability to leave the diocese in good order, both spiritually and financially.” Ed Malesic, currently the Bishop of the Cleveland Diocese, said on Facebook that Bishop Brandt was the first to welcome him when he was hired to take over as Bishop after Brandt announced his retirement, and continued to offer him advice when needed.
Funeral arrangements have not been released. The diocese has not announced the cause of death. Brandt was 86.
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