Philip Wilson (bishop) facts for kids

Styles of Philip Wilson
Reference style	The Most Reverend
Spoken style	Your Grace
Religious style	Archbishop

Philip Edward Wilson (born October 2, 1950 – died January 17, 2021) was an Australian Roman Catholic leader. He served as the eighth Archbishop of Adelaide from 2001 to 2018. Before that, he was the Bishop of the Diocese of Wollongong from 1996 to 2001. He also led the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference as its President from 2006 to 2010.

Early Life and Education

Philip Wilson was born in Cessnock, New South Wales. He was the oldest of five children born to Joan and John Wilson. He went to St Patrick's Primary School in Cessnock. Later, he attended St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill for his high school education.

By the time he was a teenager, Philip decided he wanted to become a priest. After finishing high school at 18, he joined St Patrick's Seminary in Manly. In 1974, he earned a degree in Theology from the Catholic Institute of Sydney.

Becoming a Priest

Philip Wilson became a priest in 1975. His first job was as an assistant priest in East Maitland, New South Wales. In 1977 and 1978, he studied religious education in New York City.

When he returned to Australia in 1978, he became the Director of Religious Education for the Diocese of Maitland. In 1983, he was made the parish priest of Maitland. Later, in 1987, he was promoted to vicar general, which meant he helped manage the diocese. From 1990 to 1995, Wilson studied canon law at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.. He earned a special degree in canon law. During this time, Pope John Paul II gave him the special title of Prelate of Honour.

Bishop of Wollongong

In 1996, Philip Wilson was chosen to become the new Bishop of Wollongong. He took over from Bishop William Murray. On July 10, he was officially made a bishop by Cardinal Edward Clancy. At 45 years old, Philip Wilson was the youngest Catholic bishop in Australia at that time.

Archbishop of Adelaide

In November 2000, Pope John Paul II appointed Philip Wilson to a new role. He became the coadjutor archbishop of the Archdiocese of Adelaide. A coadjutor archbishop is like an assistant who is expected to take over when the current archbishop retires. At 50 years old, Wilson became the youngest Catholic archbishop in Australia.

People in Wollongong were very happy for him. The Lord Mayor said he had been a great leader for the Catholic Church there. Archbishop Leonard Faulkner, who was the Archbishop of Adelaide at the time, said Philip Wilson was "a very pastoral man" and "a man of the people."

Wilson's welcome Mass in Adelaide was held on February 1, 2001. It took place at St Francis Xavier's Cathedral. This Mass was special because it was the first one in Australia to be shown live on the internet. About 40,000 people watched it online. Wilson spent most of 2001 learning about the archdiocese. He was officially installed as Archbishop on December 3, 2001. Many bishops, priests, and the Governor of South Australia, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, attended the Mass. He celebrated his first Mass as Archbishop at St Francis Xavier's Cathedral on December 9, 2001.

In 2002, Archbishop Wilson was invited to speak at a meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He was the first Australian archbishop to receive this invitation.

Archbishop Wilson finished his duties as archbishop in late May 2018. On June 3, 2018, Gregory O'Kelly, who was the Bishop of Port Pirie, took over his responsibilities in Adelaide.

Death

Philip Wilson passed away on January 17, 2021. He had been unwell for some years and had suffered from cancer. His death was described as sudden.