Bernard Joseph Topel

Bernard Joseph Topel (March 31, 1903 – October 22, 1986) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church.

[4] After his ordination, he went to Cambridge, Massachusetts, to earn a master's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

[1] In 1937, Topel served as a faculty member teaching mathematics at the University of Notre Dame.

[1] He came back to Montana in 1939, becoming a faculty member of Mount St. Charles College, teaching mathematics and physics.

During his 22-year tenure, Topel established several parishes and schools, the Mater Cleri Seminary in Colbert, Washington, the Bishop White Seminary on the Gonzaga University campus in Spokane, the Immaculate Heart Retreat House, homes for unwed mothers, and housing for the elderly.

[2] Topel donated the profits from the sale of his crosier and pectoral cross to charity, and admitted that wearing an episcopal ring made him feel "a bit out of kilter".

[2] He once declared, "I have come to the realization that the most important thing I can do in the church, and that applies to Christians in general, is to live simply in order to give money to the poor.

[4] He served as apostolic administrator of the diocese until the appointment of his successor, Lawrence Harold Welsh.

Before his ordination, clergy had voiced concerns about O'Donnell's sexual attraction to boys, yet he was accepted into the diocese.