BishopAccountability.org
	St. Catharines Bishop Controversy By Nathan Brown The Brock Press May 11, 2010 http://media.www.brockpress.com/media/storage/paper384/news/2010/05/11/News/St.Catharines.Bishop.Controversy-3918987.shtml It has been over a month since Bishop James Wingle issued a letter to the St. Catharines diocese citing a lack of "stamina" and the inability to maintain his duties within the diocese. In the midst of controversy within the Roman Catholic Church, Wingle's resignation has sparked questions on whether or not this situation is related to the current allegations of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Wingle's replacement for the time being is Monsignor Wayne Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick has been very helpful to the community during this ordeal by answering questions about Wingle's resignation and assuring community members that it has nothing to do with the current scandals within the church. After Wingle resigned from the diocese it seemed as though he left St. Catharines and, most likely, the country. However, Wingle is an avid traveler and is quite possibly taking time to reflect during his sabbatical, as cited in Wingle's letter of resignation. "After Easter weekend it was clear enough, Wingle was looking pale and there was clearly something wrong with his health," said Kirkpatrick. "Everyone is trying to draw their own conclusions from this situation but the truth is it was time for Wingle to take time off." Wingle is well-respected and often outspoken, as he denounced the nomination of Dr. Henry Morgentaler for the Order of Canada. It is more troubling for Wingle's peers that they do not know his whereabouts rather than why he went where he did. "We here at the diocese pray for the health of Bishop Wingle and hope he finds what he is looking for during his time on sabbatical," said Kirkpatrick. The resignation of Wingle came just two weeks after a former priest, Donald Grecco, pleaded guilty to sexually molesting three former altar boys between 1978 and 1986, the first of which took place in Cayuga and the latter in Welland. One of the victims complained formally just four months before Wingle was named bishop of the diocese in September 2001. Another victim came forward during Wingle's watch in 2005. Wingle, 63, has been under stress from these two accusations against Grecco during his time with the diocese and, according to Wingle's resignation letter, rest is needed. In Wingle's letter to the diocese he was very apologetic asking for "God's mercy" and "understanding". Wingle also stated in his letter that his sabbatical will be centered around "prayer and personal renewal". "There is a possibility that [he] will return, just not at this diocese," said Kirkpatrick.
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