The Rt. Rev. Don Wimberly, Bishop of Texas, unexpectedly announced that he is handing over the day-to-day operation of the diocese to his successor, the Rt. Rev. Andy Doyle, Bishop Coadjutor. Bishop Wimberly’s announcement came during his address to the annual council meeting held Feb. 13-14 in Houston. The changes became effective immediately following the adjournment of council.
Previously Bishop Wimberly had intended to transfer most day-to-day responsibilities to Bishop Doyle as part of his official retirement date, which remains June 6. The earlier-than-expected transition was prompted by Bishop Wimberly’s hospitalization in January. During the time that Bishop Wimberly was hospitalized, his visitation schedule was changed and Bishop Doyle assumed many of the day-to-day episcopal responsibilities for the diocese. After his return, Bishop Wimberly felt it did not make sense to change the visitation schedule again or to transfer the responsibilities back for just a few months.
“This time has proven to me that [Andy] is ready and we as a diocese are ready to move forward,” Bishop Wimberly said, adding “I will work with him as he takes on these new roles; such a partnership is natural for us.”
Bishop Wimberly is a good man.
I hope he is okay.
He deserves a long and happy retirement, oh that all our bishops would just change hearts instead of make headlines
I was a member of a parish in the Diocese of Lexington during Don Wimberly’s tenure there. He was a warm and decent individual. Since moving to Florida, I have not really kept up with him, but I do recall that he was on the short list for PB at the time Frank Griswold was elected. Time flies . . .