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Bishop Charles L. Longest (1933-2024)

The Rt. Rev. Charles L. Longest, Bishop Suffragan of Maryland for eight years, died May 28 at 91. He also served as Bishop in Charge of Maryland between the tenures of bishops Theodore Eastman and Robert Ihloff, and was an assisting bishop in the Diocese of Easton in 2001-03.

Born in Catonsville, Maryland, Longest was a graduate of the University of Maryland and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale. He was ordained deacon in 1959 and priest in 1960, serving multiple parishes in Maryland.

He was an avid lacrosse player and played on the University of Maryland’s national championship team in 1955. He sometimes used a lacrosse stick as a crozier when meeting with young people.

In retirement, the bishop volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.

He is survived by his two sons and four grandchildren.

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