Bernard Denis Stewart was born at Essendon on August 4th 1900. The third of Ronald and Rosanne Stewart's eight children, he was baptised in St Monica's Church, Moonee Ponds and confirmed in 1910 with the name 'Joseph'. He was educated by the Sisters of Charity at St. Columban's, Essendon. His father became ill with cancer and and he was nursed at home for two years before succumbing to the disease in 1912. This period often saw Bernard going by tram into the city for medication. Bishop Stewart recalled wearing hand-me-downs and acknowledged the help of members of religious organisations who were very good to the family. All the boy's wages helped run the household. His brilliance shone early when he won a state scholarship to St. Joseph's Christian Brothers' College, North Melbourne where he was Dux for two years in succession. At 19 years of age he wanted to join the priesthood but was discouraged by the parish priest.
He was a good sportsman, excelling especially at football, swimming and tennis. He played for Prahran in the Victorian Football League.
He entered the Public Service in the Note Issue Branch of the Treasury while completing his studies. He graduated at Melbourne University in Arts (1920) and Law (1922).
In 1923 he was admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria. He practised at Hedderwick, Fookes and Alston with Mr R.L Wingrove, where he stayed until 1926.
He completed his ecclesiastical studies at Propaganda College; Rome, where he was ordained on 8th December, 1929, and where he gained his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1930. As a priest he continued his love of sports where he became a shooter. He was a good shot especially of quail and kept dogs as pets.
On his return to Australia he had short appointments at North Fitzroy and West Footscray. He was curate at Kyneton (1930-34), then Newport, and Footscray. He was an early spiritual Director of the Catholic Evidence Guild and conducted Question Box and gave talks on 3AW's Catholic Hour. Later he was appointed curate at Carlton and later administrator (1939) and to West Melbourne where he was appointed in 1942 as Administrator to Coadjutor Archbishop Justin Daniel Simonds.
In October, 1939 Dr Stewart was appointed Senior Chaplain part-time to the Southern Command in Victoria. This involved visiting training camps for periods of 1 - 3 months at Mount Martha and Balcombe and also looking after the troops at Broadmeadows. Dr Stewart is remembered as conducting great work in representing the Catholic Community in patriotic activities. He was a director of the Catholic Welfare Organisation.
Bernard was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Sandhurst cum iure successionis (with the right of succession) to our third bishop, John McCarthy, and Titular Bishop of Ucres on 12th December 1946 by Pope Pius XII.
On Febuary 11th, 1947 he was consecrated in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo by Archbishop Simonds. In April at a reception in the St Kilda Town Hall, sponsored by the Catholic Welfare Organisation, a presentation of a liturgical outfit and a Crozier were made in recognition of Bishop Stewart's work with Fr Maddotti for the Italian community. Three years later while on ad limina for Bishop John McCarthy he was contacted at Omaha, Nebraska with the news that Bishop McCarthy had died. He succeeded to the See of Sandhurst on 18th August 1950.
In 1977 he participated in the consecration and opening of the completed Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo following his tireless effort to bring about the extension to its present form. He established Bethlehem Home for the Aged (where he died) and Mount Alvernia Hospital (now St John of God Hospital). Many schools were established during this time.
He retired as the Fourth Bishop of Sandhurst in 1979 and was succeeded by Bishop Noel Daly who was very kind to him and included him in many celebrations.
Bishop Bernard Stewart died on 15th October 1988 at 88 years of age. Around 1500 people attended his Requiem Mass along with 15 Bishops and 180 priests. Many of the Australian Bishops were in Europe undertaking the ad limina visit to the Vatican and were unable to return for the ceremony. It was a joyous requiem, the sadness of loss tempered by gratitude for Bishop Bernard Denis Stewart's strong spiritual leadership for nearly half a century.
