Archbishop James Weisgerber
Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg

 

 

James Weisgerber was born on May 1, 1938 in Vibank, Saskatchewan. Following his schooling at Vibank, he attended St. Peter’s College at Muenster and then St. Paul’s University in Ottawa where he obtained licence degrees in Philosophy and Theology.

He was ordained a priest at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Regina on June 1, 1963 and named a Monsignor (Prelate of Honour) on October 16, 1991.

Archbishop Weisgerber was Dean of Arts at Notre Dame College (now Athol Murray College) in Wilcox, Saskatchewan where he taught philosophy, religious studies and French. He worked several years in the Regina Archbishop's Office serving as the director of the pastoral and social justice offices. He served as Rector of Holy Rosary Cathedral and Pastor of Holy Trinity Parish, both in Regina, as well as Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Fort Qu’Appelle, which included pastoral ministry with neighboring aboriginal communities.

In 1990 he was elected General Secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, a position he held until his ordination as the Bishop of Saskatoon. He was appointed the fifth Bishop of Saskatoon by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II on March 7, 1996. He was named the sixth archbishop of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg by Pope John Paul II on June 7, 2000. He was installed on August 24, 2000 at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Archbishop Weisgerber is currently the Vice-President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).