Born in Denver, Colorado, Gordon Bennett had studied at the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, California, and Fordham University, New York.
He made his first vows with the Jesuits in 1966 and was ordained a priest in June 1975. He holds master’s degrees in theology and education. He was serving as president of Loyola High School in Los Angeles when he was named auxiliary bishop of Baltimore in December 1997.