Resignation of the Bishop and Election of a Diocesan Administrator for the Diocese of St. Catharines

Friday, April 16 2010

Pope Benedict XVI accepted on April 7, 2010 the resignation of Most Reverend James Wingle, who has asked to leave office for reasons of health. He had been Bishop of St. Catharines since January 2002. Previously, as of May 1993, he had been Bishop of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

Pope Benedict XVI accepted on April 7, 2010 the resignation of Most Reverend James Wingle, who has asked to leave office for reasons of health. He had been Bishop of St. Catharines since January 2002. Previously, as of May 1993, he had been Bishop of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

Monsignor Wayne Kirkpatrick, P.H., was elected Diocesan Administrator by the College of Consultors on April 13, 2010. He will ensure the leadership of the Diocese until a new Bishop is named. Until now, Monsignor Kirkpatrick has held the positions of Chancellor, Judicial Vicar, Rector of the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of St. Catharines.

The Diocese of St. Catharines has a Catholic population of 153,565 in 46 parishes and missions, served by 56 diocesan priests, 32 priests who are members of religious orders, ten permanent deacons and 43 religious brothers and sisters.