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MOST REV. HERBERT BEVARD PASSES TO ETERNITY
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September 21, 2025To:
All Christ’s Faithful,
Diocese of St Thomas in the Virgin Islands
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Re. Obituary of the Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard
It is with deep sorrow and profound gratitude for a life of faithful service that we announce the passing of the Most Reverend Herbert A. Bevard, Bishop Emeritus of our Diocese. Bishop Bevard was called to eternal rest on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
Bishop Bevard served the Diocese of St Thomas in the Virgin Islands with unwavering dedication, pastoral care, and a shepherd’s heart. Appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, he led this Diocese for over a decade, guiding the faithful through times of both challenge and renewal. His episcopal ministry was marked by a deep love for the people of the Virgin Islands, a commitment to Catholic education, and a tireless devotion to the sacraments and the spiritual life of the Church. We owe him a depth of gratitude for spearheading the recent restoration of the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral.
Even in retirement, Bishop Bevard remained a beloved figure in our diocesan family, remembered for his humility, his gentle spirit, and his enduring witness to the Gospel. The funeral Mass of Bishop Bevard will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025 in St Athanasius Parish, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and he will be laid to rest in Oxford, Pennsylvania. Details regarding a diocesan requiem Mass in his honor will be announced in the coming days.
On behalf of the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Diocese of Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands, I extend heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who mourn his passing. May the angels lead him into paradise, and may he rest in the peace of Christ whom he served so faithfully.
In Christ,
Most Rev. Jerome Feudjio,
Bishop of Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands