Most Rev. John M. Sherlock, 1978-2002
John Michael Sherlock was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, on January 20, 1926. He grew up in Brantford, Ontario with his parents, two sisters, and five brothers. After high school, called by God, he entered St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 3, 1950. Incredibly, he was one of three priests from his family, along with his brothers Philip and William.
Bishop Sherlock led the Diocese through the final quarter of the twentieth century, a time of social upheaval when the Church searched for new ways to continue its mission. With his leadership, the Diocese adopted a profound shift in the concept of ministry, one which affected not only priests and religious, but the laity and diocesan administrators.
On April 27, 2002, Rome accepted Bishop Sherlock's resignation. He chose to spend his retirement years in the city of London, so that he could remain in the diocese which he considered his home. Even in retirement, he remained active by teaching, conducting retreats and parish missions, helping at parishes on weekends, and participating in diocesan celebrations. He continued hearing confessions and celebrating Mass almost every Monday at the cathedral into late 2018.
Bishop Sherlock passed away on August 12, 2019, at the age of 93. Click here to read his biography.
G. Emmett Cardinal Carter, 1964-1978
Gerald Emmett Carter was born in Montreal on March 1, 1912. He was one of eight children, two of whom became sisters and two became priests. On December 1, 1961, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of London and was consecrated in Montreal on February 2, 1962, by Cardinal Paul-Émile Léger, Archbishop of Montreal, assisted by Bishop J.C. Cody of London. Two years later, on February 17, 1964, he succeeded Bishop Cody as the eighth Bishop of London. He was President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops from 1975-1977. He installed as Archbishop of Toronto on June 5, 1978 and was named a Cardinal on June 30, 1979, by Pope John Paul II. Cardinal Carter passed away April 6, 2003.
Most Rev. John C. Cody, 1950-1963
John Christopher Cody was born in Ottawa on December 16, 1899 and was ordained on May 26, 1923. On January 5, 1937, Pope Pius XI named him Bishop of Victoria, BC. At 37, he was the youngest bishop in Canada. On April 6, 1946, he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of London diocese. He succeeded Bishop Kidd, as the seventh Bishop of London on June 2, 1950. Thirty-eight churches were built, forty rectories and many classrooms were added to existing schools. Eleven of these new parishes were ethnic parishes to accommodate the immigrants who came from Europe after the Second World War. Regina Mundi College was opened in 1962, Christ the King College was established in London and Holy Name College for women in Windsor. Immigration centers were established in London and Windsor. In 1962 the Holy Father named St. Peter's Cathedral a basilica. The cathedral was completed to include towers, chimes, Our Lady Chapel and the Sacristy. Bishop Cody died suddenly on December 5, 1963 as a result of a massive brain hemorrhage.
Most Rev. Thomas J. Kidd, 1931-1950
John Thomas Kidd was born in Athlone, Simcoe County in 1868 And was ordained to the priesthood in Rome in 1902. On February 6, 1925, he was appointed Bishop of Calgary. Six years later he was transferred to the Diocese of London. In 1947, he conducted a successful financial campaign in the diocese and at the time of his death on June 2, 1950, the diocese was debt free.
Most Rev. Michael F. Fallon, O.S.B., 1910-1931
Michael Francis Fallon was born in Kingston, the oldest of seven sons born to Dominic Fallon and Bridget Egan. Three of the sons became Oblates. He was ordained in Rome in 1894. On April 25, 1910, he was consecrated Bishop of London. He established St. Peter's Seminary and Brescia College, and the Precious Blood sisters, the Redemptorist Fathers and the Christian Brothers came to London at his invitation and St. Peter's Cathedral was restored and redecorated. In 1921, the Catholic Women's League was begun under his leadership. Bishop Fallon passed away February 22, 1931.
Most Rev. Fergus P. McEvay, 1899-1908
Patrick McEvay was born in 1852 in Lindsay, Ontario. He completed his studies in St. Michael's College, Toronto, St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee and the Jesuit College in Montreal. On July 9, 1882, he was ordained to the priesthood for Kingston diocese. On August 6, 1899, he was consecrated Bishop of London. His main achievement in was the establishment of separate schools. On April 13, 1908 he was installed as Archbishop of Toronto. He passed away May 10, 1911.
Most Rev. Dennis O'Connor, C.S.B., 1890-1899
Dennis O'Connor was born on March 28, 1841 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1863. He founded Assumption College in 1870. On October 19, 1890, he was consecrated as bishop in St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica by Archbishop Walsh of Toronto. In 1899, he was named Archbishop of Toronto. He was the first Ontario-born bishop and the first Basilian bishop. He passed away June 30, 1911.
Most Rev. John Walsh, 1867-1889
John Walsh was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, on May 24, 1830. He completed his philosophy studies in St. John's College in Waterford, Ireland. In the fall of 1852 he sailed for Canada where he entered the Seminary of St. Sulpice in Montreal. After completing his theological studies, he was ordained to the priesthood on November 1, 1854 by Bishop de Charbonnel, Bishop of Toronto. On November 10, 1867, Archbishop C.F. Baillargeon, Archbishop of Quebec, consecrated him bishop of Sandwich. He transferred the See from Sandwich to London in January, 1868 and on November 15, 1869, obtained a decree from Rome making London once more the Episcopal See. On July 25, 1889 he returned to Toronto as Archbishop of the Archdiocese until his death on July 25, 1898.
Most Rev. Pierre Adolphe Pinsoneault, 1856-1866
Pierre-Adolphe Pinsoneault was London's first Bishop. He was born in 1815 in Montreal and was ordained in 1840. AHe was consecrated Bishop of London Diocese on May 18, 1856 in Montreal. Within a few months after his installation he decided to transfer the See to Sandwich, now called Windsor. It involved a change of residence and a change of name of the diocese. He resided in Sandwich from 1859 to 1867. He retired in 1866 and passed away in Montreal on January 30, 1883.