Bishops
Past Bishops
12 Bishop William Terrence McGrattan (23 June 2014 to 19 April 2017)
His Excellency Most Reverend Bishop W. T. McGrattan was born in London, Ontario. His Excellency received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Western Ontario, followed by a Master of Divinity from St. Peter's Seminary in London. Bishop McGrattan was ordained to the priesthood on May 2, 1987, with the Diocese of London. Following three years of service with St. Joseph's Parish in Chatham, Bishop McGrattan continued his studies in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he received a Licentiate in Fundamental Moral Theology in 1992. Bishop McGrattan served on the faculty of St. Peter's Seminary in London as an associate professor, vice-rector, and dean of theology and was appointed as rector of the Seminary in 1997. He was ordained to the episcopate as Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto in 2009. His Excellency Most Reverend William McGrattan was installed as the 12th Bishop of Peterborough on June 23, 2014 until January 4, 2017 and His Excellency served as Apostolic Administrator from then until April 19, 2017.
His Excellency Bishop McGrattan is a member of the Canadian Conference of
Catholic Bishops; the CCCB Doctrine Commission from 2011 to the present; the Bishop Liaison for Catholic Health Alliance of Canada CHAC from 2011 to the present; the National Spiritual Director of the Catholic Women's League of Canada CWL from 2013 to the present; a National Catholic Broadcasting Council Board Member from 2015 to the present; a member of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario; a member of the ACBO Education Commission from 2010 to the present; the Liaison Bishop to Catholic Health Association of Ontario CHAO from 2010 to the present; the Chancellor of Sacred Heart College of Peterborough and a Board Member from 2014 to 2017.
11 Bishop Nicola De Angelis (28 December 2002 to 23 June 2014)
Bishop Nicola De Angelis was born in Pozzaglia Sabino, Italy, on January 23, 1939 and died in Montefiascone, Italy on June 16, 2023, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. In 1959, he entered the religious order of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception. He immigrated to Canada in 1967 and commenced studies in theology at St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto. On December 6, 1970, De Angelis was ordained a priest in Toronto, to the Order of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception. During his years in Toronto, Father De Angelis was appointed to the Minister's Advisory Committee for education in Ontario. In the 1970s and early 1980s, he was involved with the Archdiocesan Senate Committee and also with the several Italian Cultural Committees. He was appointed Treasurer General of his religious order in 1984 and moved to Rome to fulfill the duties of this position. On April 27, 1992, he was appointed as titular Bishop of Remesianna. He was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto and consecrated in St. Michael's Cathedral on June 24, 1992. On December 28, 2002, Bishop De Angelis was appointed the Bishop of Peterborough serving as Bishop of the diocese until June 23, 2014. Bishop De Angelis passed away on June 16, 2023 in Montefiascone, Villa Santa Margarita Hospital, in Italy. He was 84.
10 Bishop James Leonard Doyle (24 May 1976 to 28 December 2002)
Bishop James Doyle was born in Chatham, ON, on June 20, 1929. He was ordained as priest for the Diocese of London on June 12, 1954 where he served as priest for 22 years. On June 28, 1976, Fr. Doyle was ordained as Bishop for the Diocese of Peterborough and he was installed in the see on July 14, 1976. Bishop Doyle was known for his love and care for people along with his dedicated efforts to support Catholic Education. Bishop Doyle chaired the Education Committee of the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops for many years and was instrumental in the founding of the Institute for Catholic Education. Bishop Doyle was awarded with the Ed Nelligan Award in 2004, the highest award offered by the Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers' Association. Bishop Doyle resigned on December 28, 2002 and passed away on April 22, 2004 at age 75.
9 Bishop Francis Anthony Marrocco (10 June 1968 to 18 July 1975)
Bishop Francis A. Marrocco was born in Peterborough on June 20, 1913. He attended St. Peter's Separate School and St. Peter's High School before entering St. Augustine's Seminary in 1932. He was ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop James C. McGuigan in St. Peter's Cathedral, Peterborough on June 12, 1938.
Father Marrocco served in the Parishes of Huntsville, Kinmount, Parry Sound and St. Peter's Cathedral, all in the Diocese of Peterborough before attending the Catholic University of America in 1943, for graduate study in Social Action. In 1946, he attended St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia studying the cooperative movement. In 1948, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops set up a Social Action Department with Father Marrocco becoming the first English speaking Secretary. He also directed the Catholic Immigrant Aid program of the Conference from 1948 to 1951. In 1954, Father Marrocco returned to Peterborough as the Rector of St. Peter's Cathedral.
On December 7, 1955, Father Marrocco was appointed as Titular Bishop of the See of Limnae and Auxiliary to Cardinal McGuigan for the Metropolitan See of Toronto. He received his Episcopal Consecration in St. Peter's Cathedral on February 22, 1956, from Cardinal McGuigan who was assisted by Bishop John R. MacDonald of Antigonish and Bishop Benjamin I. Webster of Peterborough. Bishop Marrocco was appointed Pastor of St. Edward's Parish, Willowdale and took Possession of his church on March 25, 1956. As well as his Episcopal duties, Bishop Marrocco was also appointed Dean of York in 1957, Director of Catholic Charities in 1960, and Diocesan Consultor, and Archdiocesan Director of Vocations in 1961. At times, he served as Secretary of the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops and was National Director of Vocations. During his tenure in Toronto, Bishop Marrocco was also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Canadian Register Limited and Archdiocesan chaplain of the Christian Family Movement, and served as Episcopal Vicar for the Italian community in Toronto.
On June 10, 1968, Bishop Marrocco was appointed as Bishop of Peterborough. He was installed in St. Peter's Cathedral by Archbishop Emmanuel Clarizio, Apostolic Delegate to Canada on August 6, of that year. On July 18, 1975, Bishop Marrocco suffered a heart attack and died at the age of 62.
8 Bishop Benjamin Ibberson Webster (24 April 1954 to 12 March 1968)
Bishop Benjamin I. Webster was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, on March 7, 1898. He and his parents immigrated to Canada when he was approximately seven years old and settled in St. Catharines, Ontario. He attended Separate School and St. Catharines Collegiate Institute before attending St. Michael's College from 1915 to 1919. He entered St. Augustine's Seminary in 1919, and was ordained to the Priesthood in St. Michael's Cathedral by Archbishop Neil McNeil on May 26, 1923.
Father Webster served as Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Toronto, Guardian Angels Parish, Orillia, St. Michael's Cathedral and St. Helen's Parish, Toronto before becoming Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, Grimsby in July of 1936. He was later transferred to St. Mary's Parish, Welland in 1942, where he served until September of 1946.
Father Webster was appointed as Titular Bishop of the See of Paphus and named Auxiliary to Cardinal James C. McGuigan, for the Metropolitan See of Toronto, on September 24, 1946. He received his Episcopal Consecration in St. Michael's Cathedral on November 21, 1946, from Cardinal McGuigan assisted by Bishop John T. Kidd of London and Bishop Joseph F. Ryan of Hamilton. As well as assisting Cardinal McGuigan with various Episcopal duties, Bishop Webster also served as Diocesan Consultor. From 1951 to 1954, he was also Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, Toronto.
On April 21, 1954, Bishop Webster was appointed Bishop of Peterborough Diocese. He served in that capacity until his retirement on March 12, 1968, at which time he became Titular Bishop of the See of Tigamibena and Chaplain of St. Joseph's Hospital, Parry Sound. Bishop Webster died in Parry Sound on January 18, 1981 at age 83.
7 Archbishop Joseph Gerald Berry (7 April 1945 to 28 November 1953)
Archbishop Joseph Berry was born on June 7, 1902 in Montreal, QC. Berry was ordained as priest for the Archdiocese of Montreal on June 11, 1927 and he served as priest in the archdiocese for 18 years. On April 7, 1945, Fr. Berry was appointed as Bishop for the Diocese of Peterborough where he served for eight years until November 28, 1953 when he was appointed as Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Halifax, NS. Archbishop Berry served as Council Father at the Second Vatican Council; President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1960 to 1964; and he died on May 12, 1967 at the age of 64.
6 Bishop John Roderick MacDonald (5 June 1943 to 14 April 1945)
Bishop John Roderick MacDonald was born on July 9, 1891 in Port-Hood. MacDonald was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Antingonish on January 23, 1916. Fr. MacDonald served as priest for 27 years before being appointed as Bishop of Peterborough, Ontario, on June 5, 1943 where he served for two years until 1945. In March of 1945, Bishop MacDonald was appointed Titular Bishop of Ancusa and Coadjutor-Bishop of Antigonish with right of succession becoming Bishop of Antigonish on April 13, 1950. Bishop MacDonald died December 18, 1959 at the age of 68.
5 Bishop Dennis P. O'Connor (13 January 1930 to 30 August 1942)
Bishop Denis P. O'Connor was born on December 23, 1884 in Blyth. O'Connor was ordained to the priesthood on June 5, 1909 serving as priest for 21 years before he was appointed as Bishop for the Diocese of Peterborough on January 13, 1930. Fr. O'Connor was ordained as Bishop on June 11, 1930 and he died on August 30, 1942 at the age of 57.
4 Archbishop Michael Joseph O'Brien (20 June 1913 to 17 May 1929)
Archbishop O'Brien was born in Peterborough, ON, on July 29, 1874. O'Brien was ordained as priest on July 6, 1897 in the Diocese of Peterborough where he was appointed to serve as Bishop on June 20, 1913. On May 17, 1929, Bishop O'Brien was appointed as Coadjutor Archbishop of Kingston and Titular Archbishop of Amorium. On February 23, 1938, he became Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Kingston. Archbishop O'Brien die on August 30, 1943at the age of 69.
3 Bishop Richard Alphonsus O'Connor (11 January 1889 to 23 January 1913)
Bishop Richard Alphonsus O'Connor was born on January 13, 1838 in Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland. O'Connor immigrated to Canada with his parents in 1841 settling in Toronto. He received his early education in the Toronto separate schools, and in 1852, entered St. Michael's College School in Toronto. In 1859, he entered the Grand Seminary of St. Sulpice, Montreal, to complete his theological course. He was ordained as a priest on August 2, 1861, in St. Michael's Cathedral, Toronto, by Archbishop John Joseph Lynch. His first charge after ordination was as assistant priest at Toronto Gore, and in January, 1862, he was appointed pastor of that mission. In December of 1865, he was transferred to Niagara Falls mission, and in September of 1868, he was entrusted with the parish of South Adjala, ON. In October of 1870, he was made Dean of Barrie, where he remained for over eighteen years, taking a leading position in educational matters. He was consecrated as Bishop for the Diocese of Peterborough in St. Peter's Cathedral, Peterborough on May 1, 1889. Bishop O'Connor died on January 23, 1913 at age 75.
2 Bishop Thomas Joseph Dowling (14 December 1886 to 11 January 1889)
Bishop Thomas Joseph Dowling was born in Ireland on February 28, 1840. He was educated at St. Michael's College, Toronto. Dowling was ordained as a priest for the Diocese of Hamilton on August 7, 1864. Fr. Dowling was appointed as Bishop for the Diocese of Peterborough on December 14, 1886 serving in the Diocese for three years. On January 11, 1889, Bishop Dowling was installed as Bishop for the Diocese of Hamilton. Bishop Dowling died on August 6, 1924 at age 84.
1 Bishop Jean-François Jamot (11 July 1882 to 4 May 1886)
Bishop (Msgr.) Jean-François Jamot was a Catholic priest, missionary and Bishop. Msgr. Jamot was born on June 23, 1828 in Châtelard, Creuse, France, son of Gilbert Jamot, farmer and landowner, and Jeanne Cornabat. He was educated at Limoges and was ordained as priest in 1853. Msgr. Jamot was vicar in the Archdiocese of Toronto from 1853 to 1855; pastor of Barrie in the Simcoe County from 1855 to 1867 and vicar general of the Bishop of Toronto from 1867 to 1874. He served as apostolic vicar of northern Ontario from 1874 to 1882, with first residence in Sault Saint Marie, Canada and in Bracebridge in the District of Muskoka. Msgr. Jamot was appointed as the first bishop of Peterborough from 1882 to 1886. Msgr. Jamot died on May 4, 1886 at age 58.