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	Bishop Resigns in St. Catharines By Jay Tokasz The Buffalo News April 9, 2010 http://www.buffalonews.com/2010/04/08/1012613/bishop-resigns-in-st-catharines.html The Catholic bishop of St. Catharines, Ont., resigned unexpectedly and without specific explanation Wednesday, citing an inability “to maintain the necessary stamina to fulfill properly my duties.” Bishop James M. Wingle said in a brief letter distributed by the Diocese of St. Catharines that the decision was the result of “a long and intense process of prayer and reflection.” “I believe that my resignation will serve not only my own spiritual and personal well-being, but the good of the diocese and the Church as well,” Wingle wrote. He was installed in 2002 as head of the diocese of about 150,000 Catholics in Southern Ontario, including Niagara Falls and Fort Erie. Wingle, 63, was not available to comment Wednesday. The resignation came as a surprise even to other diocesan officials. Wingle had presided during a full schedule of Holy Week and Easter services. Monsignor Wayne Kirkpatrick, diocesan chancellor, said the bishop did not reveal anything more than what is in the letter, which is addressed to “priests, deacons, religious and faithful” of the diocese. There were some indications during Holy Week services that Wingle was dealing with unspecified health concerns, Kirkpatrick said, noting that Wingle appeared pale and “not himself.” “All I can say is he wasn’t himself, so something was weighing upon him, and I think it was a health concern, but I don’t know that,” Kirkpatrick said. Catholic bishops traditionally serve until they reach retirement age of 75. At that time, they are required to submit a letter of resignation to the pope. Bishops sometimes have resigned due to health reasons, said Kirkpatrick, who described Wingle as “a very dedicated and devoted bishop.” Wingle’s four-paragraph letter does not mention specific health-related problems. Ordained as a priest in 1977, Wingle served as bishop of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, from 1993 to 2002. Contact: jtokasz@buffnews.com
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