Bishop Wingle breaks his silence

Nearly four months after his abrupt resignation from the St. Catharines Roman Catholic Diocese, Bishop James Wingle has finally broken the silence on his whereabouts and what he's been doing since April.

But Wingle, who offered only vague reasons for leaving the diocese at the time of his resignation, provided no further insight into what was behind his departure in a brief e-mail message read to worshippers at services across Niagara Sunday.

The four-paragraph message, dated Saturday, was addressed to Monsignor Wayne Kirkpatrick, who has been named administrator of the diocese until a replacement bishop is selected.

Kirkpatrick provided The Standard a copy of the note, which was also posted on bulletin boards of churches throughout the diocese Sunday.

Wingle, 63, says in the e-mail that he has completed the first part of his sabbatical in Jerusalem "in a time of prayer and rest." However, he doesn't say if he's still spending time in Israel or anything else about where he's presently located.

He indicates he will continue his sabbatical later in the summer, writing and researching a catechetical-pastoral project.

"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," he writes. "I am deeply appreciative of their expressions of concern and for their prayers."

Wingle goes on to say he's praying for the diocese and Pope Benedict XVI and his advisors as they determine who will replace him as bishop in St. Catharines.

"As I continue my sabbatical, I would be grateful to have the ongoing support and assistance of your prayer," he says.

Wingle sent the message to the diocese the day The Standard ran a front-page story, detailing a reporter's trip to the bishop's hometown of Eganville, Ont. in search of answers about his whereabouts and sudden resignation.

The e-mail is Wingle's first formal communication with parishioners in the diocese since he quit in the spring.

SIC: SCTS