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. He studied at the University of Waterloo, St. Jerome’s College, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) before entering St. Augustine’s Seminary in 1980. He completed a Masters of Divinity and was ordained to the priesthood on September 1, 1984. He also studied at St. Paul University in Ottawa, receiving a Licentiate (Masters) in Canon Law in June 1990.
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.
-30-
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
