DANBURY– Reverend Bernardo Rodriguez passed away on July 16, 2020. He was 66 years of age.
“Through his work as a hospital chaplain, his service in prison ministry, and his ministry to migrant workers, Father Bernardo reached out in a special way to those who were suffering, and he brought the healing of Christ to all he served. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his family,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano.
Father Bernardo Rodriguez was born in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, on April 28, 1954. His parents were Eulogio Rodriguez and Patrocinio Chicano. He is survived by a sister, Manoli Rodriguez and a nephew, Josue Martinez Rodriguez.
Father Rodriguez studied for the priesthood at the Pontifical University of Saint Pacian, Barcelona where he received the degree of Master in Pastoral Ministry. He was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend Ramon Malla Call in Lleida, Spain on October 11, 1980.
After his ordination, he first served as Parochial Vicar of Nuestra Senora de! Puig. In 1981, he began work in prison ministry for the first time, serving as the chaplain at the federal jail in Lleida, Spain. In 1986, he continued that work at the National Jail in Panama City, Panama.
Father Rodriguez came to the United States in 1987 where he began work as parochial vicar at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bridgeport. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Bridgeport in 1989. In 1991, he was transferred to Our Lady of Montserrat in Stamford, serving first as parochial vicar, then as parochial administrator, and lastly as pastor beginning in 1993. He served in that position until 1997. Father Rodriguez then spent a year in ministry to migrant workers in Orange County NY.
He returned to the diocese in 1999 to begin work as Catholic chaplain to Bridgeport Hospital, residing at St. Patrick Church in Bridgeport. Returning to prison ministry in 2001, Father Rodriguez worked in Prison Chaplaincy and Seaport Ministry at Bridgeport Correctional Facility and Garner Prison. His most recent assignment was as Assistant Chaplain at Danbury Hospital and part-time Parochial Vicar of St. Peter Parish in Danbury.
Father Rodriguez’s body will be received at St. Peter Church, Danbury on Wednesday, July 22 at 3:00 p.m. and will lie in repose from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Bishop Caggiano will celebrate the Funeral Mass on Thursday, July 23 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be private.
Condolences can be sent to Father Rodriguez’s sister, Manoli Rodriguez, care of The Catholic Center, 238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport CT 06606.
