BishopAccountability.org
	‘Missing’ St. Catharines Bishop Surfaces By Jim Rankin Toronto Star August 3, 2010 http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/843349--missing-st-catharines-bishop-surfaces St. Catharines Catholics — left to wonder what became of their bishop since his sudden resignation in April — learned over the weekend that James Wingle has been in Israel on sabbatical. Church faithful learned little else from a brief letter from Wingle, which was shared in parishes across the Diocese of St. Catharines. “I have now completed the first part of my sabbatical which I spent in the Holy Land in a time of prayer and rest,” Wingle writes in a letter to diocese administrator Msgr. Wayne Kirkpatrick, dated July 31. “Later in the summer, I plan to continue my sabbatical doing some writing and research on a catechetical-pastoral project.” It’s unclear where Wingle is at the moment. Wingle, 63, resigned April 7, citing a lack of “stamina” in a vaguely worded April 7 letter. The diocese has said little about the unexpected departure, a silence that has fuelled rumours and challenged the faith of some parishioners who question the diocese’s handling of sex abuse allegations. The resignation came two weeks after Donald Grecco, a former St. Catharines priest, pleaded guilty to molesting three former altar boys between 1978 and 1986. His sentencing has been delayed while he recovers from an unspecified medical procedure. One of the victims complained to the church in 2005 while Wingle was bishop. By then, Grecco was no longer an active priest. The diocese did “nothing” in response to that complaint, court heard during Grecco’s guilty plea hearing. The diocese has told the Star that “protocol” was followed but officials have not publicly detailed that protocol. In 2008, that same victim went to police. Grecco was charged in September, 2009. Additional charges were later laid when two more victims were discovered by police. The church had learned of those victims much earlier. One, via his mother, complained in 1986. The other went to the church in 2001. Grecco served in two other parishes after the initial, 1986 complaint was made. Wingle became bishop in St. Catharines in January, 2002. Shortly after that, Grecco ceased being an active priest. As one of his last acts as bishop, Wingle issued a memo to all diocesan priests March 18 — just before Grecco’s guilty plea — making clear they were not to speak to the media about Grecco. “Should you be contacted by agents of the media for statements or comments, it would be wise to simply refrain from comment and refer the queries to (Judicial Vicar) Msgr. Wayne Kirkpatrick at the Catholic Centre,” the memo stated. Kirkpatrick has declined repeated requests by the Star for comment. He circulated Wingle’s latest letter, including a forward with instructions for priests to be read at weekend masses. “Given all the speculation in media, I think it is important that you read the following letter at all Masses this Sunday (Aug. 1) and that you also post a copy of it on your bulletin board,” reads the preamble. Wingle’s letter to Kirkpatrick came a week after a July 24 Star story that highlighted concerns raised by some clergy and church faithful over the silence and lack of transparency. One priest described the diocese as “dysfunctional.” There are 48 parishes and 150,000 Catholics living within the diocese’s boundaries. “I would be grateful if you would extend my sincere thanks and assurances of my well-being to the clergy and faithful of the Diocese,” Wingle writes in the letter. “I am deeply appreciative of their expressions of concern and for their prayers.” Wingle says he is praying for the diocese, which is operating with a bishop. “I am praying earnestly for the needs of the Diocese and for the Holy Father and his advisors in their important work of choosing a new bishop for St. Catharines. As I continue my sabbatical, I would be grateful to have the ongoing support and assistance of your prayer.”
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.