Fr. Benedict (John) Bishop of the Mother of Mercy was born on July 23, 1923 in Lima, Ohio  to parents George and Rose (nee Daley) Bishop. He enlisted in the United States Army on October 30, 1942, and received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal before his honorable discharge on January 12, 1946. Father applied for admission to the novitiate of the Discalced Carmelite priesthood on June 12, 1947, made his profession on September 12, 1948, and was ordained on June 5, 1954.

During his priestly ministry, Fr. Benedict served in the Philippine Mission (1955-1961) (Delegate Provincial 1964-1966).  He served twice as Provincial Superior of the Washington Province (1966-1972) (1978-1984), held fellowships in the Menninger Foundation, Kansas (1973-74) and was a chaplain and staff pastoral counselor at St. Joseph Hospital in Elmira New York (1974-75)  Later, he was assigned to Peterborough, NH (1984-1987), Holy Hill, WI (1987-1995) and Brighton, MA (1995-1998). 

Fr. Benedict died on January 19, 1998, and is buried at the Carmelite Cemetery, Hubertus, Wisconsin.