Bishop Elias James Manning, OFM Conv., 81

Bishop Emeritus Elias James Manning OFM, Conv. — son of the late James and Agnes (Fennelly) Manning — died Oct. 13 at Vassouras Hospital in Brazil with his brother, Law­rence, and sister-in-law, Susan, by his side. He was 81.

As a young man, Bishop Manning, along with his family, attended and was active at St. Michael’s Parish in South Troy. Bishop Manning attended St. Joseph’s School and graduated from La Salle Institute, both in Troy. Upon graduation, Bishop Manning entered the Seminary at St. Anthony-on-The Hudson in Rensselaer. 

He was ordained in 1965 and assigned his first mission in Brazil. In 1990, while stationed in Araruama, Brazil, Bishop Manning was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Valença, where he served for 30 years. After retiring in 2014, Bishop Manning continued shepherding his people throughout the parishes of Valença by assisting the diocese with many pastoral services.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady Of Glory in Valença on Oct. 15. Along with his parents, Bishop Manning was preceded in death by his sister, Joan Plunkett (William). He is survived by his brother, Lawrence Manning (Susan) of Holiday, Fla., and several nieces and nephews.

Contributions in Bishop Mann­ing’s memory may be made to La Salle Institute, 174 Williams Road Troy, N.Y., 12180 or The Franciscan Friars, 77 St. Francis Place, Rensselaer, N.Y., 12144.

Bishop Manning was featured in an Oct. 17 article in The Evangelist for World Mission Sunday entitled, “THE RIGHT MANN: For the past 57 years, Bishop Manning has lived the missionary life in Brazil.” To read more about his life, log onto www.evangelist.org.