Retired Marquette Catholic Bishop Dies

One of the retired bishops of the Marquette Catholic Diocese has died.

Bishop Emeritus Mark Schmitt passed away earlier today at a hospice residence in DePere, Wisconsin after a brief illness.

He was 88 years old.

Bishop Schmitt served as bishop from May 1978 until his retirement in November 1992.

He then lived near Big Bay until moving to Wisconsin in 2005.

The diocese says the establishment of the Lay Ministries Leadership School, the implementation of the Permanent Diaconate Program and the provision of several faith development programs are among the highlights of his tenure as bishop.

Current Bishop Alexander Sample was one of the 28 priests that Bishop Schmitt ordained.

Visitation and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette.

The diocese says it’ll announce the details once the arrangements have been made.