POPE BENEDICT XVI APPOINTS MSGR. WAYNE KIRKPATRICK AS
AUXILIARY BISHOP OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF TORONTO
TORONTO (18
May 2012) – The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, today appointed Msgr. Wayne
Kirkpatrick, a priest of the Diocese of St. Catharines, Ontario, as auxiliary
bishop of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Bishop-designate Kirkpatrick commented on
the Papal appointment:
“I am
humbled by the confidence placed in me by the Holy Father to serve God’s people
as an auxiliary bishop. While it will be difficult to leave the Diocese of St.
Catharines, where I have served since my ordination day, I very much look
forward to working with Cardinal Collins, the other auxiliary bishops and the
vibrant faith community of the Archdiocese of Toronto.”
Cardinal
Thomas Collins welcomed the announcement:
“We give
thanks for the appointment of Bishop-designate Kirkpatrick. He brings with him
many diverse gifts and a wealth of experience from his years of service to the
Diocese of St. Catharines. Our thoughts and prayers are with him as he embarks
on this new chapter of ministry.”
Msgr. Wayne
Kirkpatrick was born June 5, 1957 in St.
Catharines , Ontario University of Waterloo , St. Jerome ’s
College, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) before entering St. Augustine St. Paul
University in Ottawa
Bishop-designate
Kirkpatrick has served the Diocese of St. Catharines in diverse roles since his
ordination, including 22 years in diocesan administration, concurrently serving
in parish ministry as a pastor for 17 years. He presently serves as moderator
of the curia, chancellor and judicial vicar of the diocese, as well as rector
of the cathedral. Bishop-designate
Kirkpatrick was named a Prelate of Honour by Pope John Paul II in June 1999, a
Papal Honour that bestows the title of “Monsignor” on priests recognized for
their service to the church.
Bishop-designate Kirkpatrick will be ordained to the
episcopate in St. Catharines
at a date to be determined before commencing his duties with the Archdiocese of
Toronto. He will join three other auxiliary bishops who currently assist
Cardinal Collins in caring for the pastoral needs of the 1.9 million faithful
of the Archdiocese of Toronto. More than 800 diocesan and religious priests
provide pastoral leadership in 225 churches throughout the GTA with Mass
celebrated each week in more than 30 languages.
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FOR
MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Neil MacCarthy – Director, Public
Relations & Communications, Archdiocese of Toronto
Phone (416) 934-3400 x 552 Cell: (416) 879-2846 neilm@archtoronto.org
www.archtoronto.org
1 comment:
As a Deacon of the Diocese of St Catharines I have to say our great loss is your great gain.He is a great priest and a person who is very pastoral and humble.
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