Bishop Brom dies at age 83

Today, Duluth Bishop Daniel Felton made the following announcement:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The following statement was released yesterday by San Diego Catholic Bishop Robert McElroy announcing the death of Bishop-Emeritus Robert Brom. He was 83 years old.

It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Bishop Robert Brom at his home this morning. Bishop Brom was a pastor, teacher and servant leader of the Catholic community in San Diego and Imperial Counties for 23 years. He oversaw the building of many beautiful churches in our Diocese, as well as the establishment of two magnificent high school campuses. He was a natural teacher who constantly labored to bring the ecclesiology of the second Vatican council into the heart of the Diocese of San Diego. This dedication to the Council also framed his life-long service in forming men for the priesthood.

Bishop Brom’s deep love for our parishes and pastoral vision were complemented by a keen administrative capability in guiding San Diego through years of joy and hardship. In his retirement years Bishop Brom intensified the prison ministry that he began as Bishop and his service to the Missionaries of Charity.

Bishop Robert Brom was born in Arcadia, Wis., on Sept.18, 1938. He was ordained a priest of the Winona, Minn., diocese on Dec. 18, 1963. In 1983 Saint John Paul appointed him to be the bishop of Duluth, and then to be Coadjutor Bishop of San Diego on April 22, 1989. Bishop Brom became Bishop of San Diego on July 10, 1990 and retired on Sept. 18, 2013.

The funeral for Bishop Brom will be held Tuesday, May 17, at 11 a.m., at Saint Thérèse of Carmel Church in Del Mar Heights. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery.

As a diocese, we are grateful for the years that Bishop Brom served as our bishop. I have asked Fr. Jim Bissonette and Fr. Rich Kunst to represent our diocese at his funeral in San Diego.

Additionally, I will preside at a Cathedral Memorial Mass for Bishop Brom at 12:00 noon, on Monday, May 23, 2022. This is also the anniversary date of his consecration and installation as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Duluth in 1983.

Please join me for this Memorial Mass as we lift up our prayers for Bishop Brom and the repose of his soul. May he rest in peace, amen.

May God's blessings be upon you and those you serve.

+ Bishop Daniel