Where’s Bishop Wingle?

May 10, 2010

Church officials in Canada say they are unaware of the whereabouts of Bishop James Wingle, who resigned as Bishop of St. Catharines (Ontario) on April 7 at the age of 63.

“He’s out of the country-- that’s all we know,” said Father Thomas Rosica, CEO of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation and Television Network. “Where? God only knows.”

“If you find out [where he is], tell me,” said Christine Choury, director of the communications service of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Father Rosica told the Toronto Star that Msgr. Wayne Kirkpatrick, who now administers the Diocese of St. Catharines, told him that “maybe in the future he’ll resurface, and we’ll know where he is.”

At the time of his resignation, Bishop Wingle was described in the local press as a “staunch public defender of Catholic orthodoxy.”

“My decision to offer my resignation was the result of a long and intense process of prayer and reflection,” he had said in a statement. “The duties of the office of a diocesan bishop call for vigorous stamina to meet the challenges of leadership. I am no longer able to maintain the necessary stamina to fulfil properly my duties. I believe that my resignation will serve not only my own spiritual and personal wellbeing, but the good of the diocese and the Church as well.”

“If my shortcomings and limitations have caused any disappointment, I ask for God's mercy and your understanding.”

 

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Further information:

• St. Catharines congregation wonders why Bishop James Wingle vanished (Toronto Star)
• Canadian bishop resigns at 63 (CWN, 4/8/10)