Most Reverend Bishop Joseph Raymond Windle, D.D.

Biography

Born: August 28, 1917
Ordained: May 16, 1943
Nominated Auxiliary Bishop of Ottawa: November 15, 1960
Consecrated: January 18, 1961
Named Coadjutor Bishop of Pembroke: January 25, 1969
Named Bishop of Pembroke: February 15, 1971
Retired: May 5, 1993
Died: September 24, 1997

Joseph Raymond Windle was born in Ashdad, Ontario, Canada, August 28, 1917; the son of James Windle and Bridget Scollard.

After completion of his studies at Calabogie High School in 1936, he studied Philosophy at the Classical College of St. Alexandre, Limbour, Quebec. Between 1939 and 1943 he pursued theological studies at the Grand Seminary of Montreal. He was ordained to the priesthood in his home parish, Most Precious Blood, Calabogie, Ontario, Canada, on May 16, 1943

Following his ordination, he was assistant in Mattawa for seven years. In 1950, he pursued post graduate studies in Canon Law in Rome at the Lateran University, and on his return to Canada, he served as Secretary to Bishop Smith and Vice Chancellor. He was then appointed assistant at Temiscaming, where he served from 1954 to 1957.

In 1957 he became part time assistant at Campbell’s Bay, Quebec and served on the Regional Matrimonial Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Ottawa, Ontario. He was named Parish Priest of Campbell’s Bay in 1958 and continued his work in Ottawa at the same time.

Bishop Windle with Pope John Paul II.

On November 15, 1960, he was named Auxiliary Bishop of Ottawa. His Episcopal Ordination took place in Notre Dame Basilica, Ottawa, Ontario, on January 18, 1961. Bishop Windle remained Auxiliary Bishop of Ottawa and Pastor of St. Patrick’s Parish for eight years.

On January 25, 1969, he was named Coadjutor Bishop of Pembroke with the right of succession and became Bishop of Pembroke in February 1971.

His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, accepted Bishop Windle’s resignation as Bishop of Pembroke on May 5, 1993.

Bishop Windle died suddenly on September 24, 1997.