Early life and education John Brungardt was born on July 10, 1958, in
Salina, Kansas, to Francis Balthasar and Virginia (
née Burton) Brungardt, one of six brothers and sisters in a Catholic family He chose
Saint Joseph as his confirmation saint, considering him a role model for Catholic men and boys. Brungardt graduated from
Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, with a Bachelor of Science degree in
physics with a minor in
mathematics in 1980. Brungardt furthered his studies at
Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, earning a
Master of Science degree in physics in 1983. He then attended
Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, earning a
Doctor of Philosophy degree in curriculum and instruction. In 1985, Brungardt started his "first career" as a science and computers teacher, teaching at
Wichita Collegiate School and then at
Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, both in Wichita, Kansas. After the death of Brungardt's mother in 1990, he decided to enter the priesthood. He enrolled in 1993 at the
Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. Brungardt earned a
Master of Divinity degree and a
Master of Arts degree in
Moral Theology from the Josephinum in 1998. Brungardt chose his episcopal motto, "Filled With Compassion", from the story of the
Prodigal Son in the
Gospel of Luke. The left side of his coat of arms is the shield of the diocese. The right side is divided into two halves. The superior side features a sun. The lower half features a rose. On February 9, 2021, the
Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) notified Brungardt that he was under investigation for
sexual abuse of a minor. Denying the accusations, he immediately suspended his episcopal duties and the Vatican instructed Archbishop
Joseph Naumann to start a canonical investigation. Bishop
Gerald Vincke was appointed as apostolic administrator to run the diocese during the investigation. The
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith cleared Brungardt of all accusations on March 23, 2022. The KBI did not file any criminal charges against Brungardt. ==See also==