21 Facts About Gordon Wheeler

William Gordon Wheeler was an English prelate and the Bishop of Leeds.

Gordon Wheeler studied history at University College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1932.

From 1932 to 1933, Gordon Wheeler trained for holy orders in the Church of England at St Stephen's House, Oxford.

Gordon Wheeler was ordained as a deacon in December 1933 by George Bell, Bishop of Chichester, and as an Anglican priest in December 1934 by Edmund Pearce, Bishop of Bristol.

Gordon Wheeler began his ministry as a curate at St Bartholomew's Church, Brighton in 1933, and then at St Mary and All Saints, Chesterfield in 1934.

Gordon Wheeler was an assistant chaplain at Lancing College, then an all-boys public boarding school in 1935.

Gordon Wheeler then enrolled at Beda College in Rome to study for the Catholic priesthood.

On 31 March 1940, Gordon Wheeler was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest by Cardinal Hinsley, Archbishop of Westminster, during a service at Westminster Cathedral.

Gordon Wheeler was firstly an assistant priest at St Edmund's Parish in Lower Edmonton from 1940 to 1944, then chaplain at Westminster Cathedral.

Gordon Wheeler often made a point of noting to his clergy that he understood their difficulties from his having heard confessions every day of the 11 years he served at the cathedral.

Gordon Wheeler became chaplain to Catholics at the University of London in 1950.

Gordon Wheeler was appointed a privy chamberlain by Pope Pius XII in 1952, an honorary appointment.

Gordon Wheeler returned to Westminster Cathedral in 1954, having been appointed administrator by Cardinal Bernard Griffin.

Gordon Wheeler was promoted to domestic prelate by Pope Pius XII in 1955.

Gordon Wheeler was named by the Holy See to the episcopate as the coadjutor bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough in 1964, immediately after which he participated in the last two sessions of the Second Vatican Council.

Gordon Wheeler was named Roman Catholic Bishop of Leeds in 1966 and was an enthusiastic supporter of the spirit of the council.

Gordon Wheeler remained a staunch conservative in matters of liturgical practice.

Gordon Wheeler was the last bishop in England to use the cappa magna and had a strong attachment to the Tridentine Mass.

Gordon Wheeler submitted his resignation as bishop of the diocese at the mandatory age of 75 in 1985.

Gordon Wheeler then entered an active retirement at the College of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Headingley under the care of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Gordon Wheeler died on 21 February 1998, aged 87, after a brief illness.