Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Bishop Weigand's Episcopal Ordination

November 17, 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of Bishop Emeritus William K. Weigand’s Episcopal Ordination. In commemorating the occasion, Bishop Jaime Soto writes:

"The fortieth anniversary of my predecessor, Bishop Weigand, brings back a memory from the visit he and I made to Rome, together with other bishops from our region.  During the audience with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, there was a wonderfully personal moment between Bishop Weigand and Pope Francis.  My reflections on that occasion were published on the diocesan website.  I take this opportunity to share them again.

After greeting the Holy Father and sharing with him a gift from the Diocese of Sacramento, I introduced Bishop Weigand at my side.  Bishop Weigand took Pope Francis’s hand, drew close to him and said, “Somos de la misma edad.”  (We are of the same age.) With one hand still clasping Bishop Weigand’s hand, the Pope rested his other hand on their fraternal grasp, giving a sly smile in response, “Entonces, los dos somos jóvenes.”  (Then, we are both young.). Bishop Weigand related to the Pope that he had been a bishop for 40 years.  The Holy Father rested his free hand on his brother’s shoulder.  “Has cargado mucho peso.” (You have carried much weight.)  They continued to chat.  Bishop Weigand spoke about his many years of ministry in the Archdiocese of Cali, Colombia.  To which the Pope said, ”That’s why your Spanish is so good.”

What a blessing to share that apostolic yet fraternal, personal moment between my predecessor and the successor of Peter.  Sharing in that moment made me more appreciative of the relationships that bind us to one another.  In that fraternal communion, we are also bound closely to Christ who has called us to love Him and feed His flock.  With the renaissance splendor of the apostolic palace around us, the humble, personal, and tender conversation between two brothers who are disciples of the Lord gives substance to the apostolic tradition.  As important as are the magisterial teaching and traditions of the Catholic Church, so is the practice of ecclesial communion lived out in the personal ascetic of fraternity.  In that sweet moment at the door of the Papal study it was clearly a blessing and a duty. To paraphrase an expression of the well-known Catholic laywoman, Dorothy Day, it is the duty of delight.

God bless you, Bishop Weigand, for you have been and continue to be a blessing for this local Church of Sacramento."

Let Us Pray

We pray for Bishop Emeritus William Weigand on the fortieth anniversary of his episcopal ordination.  May Jesus, the Good Shepherd, grant his faithful co-worker continued good health, wisdom, and joy.  We pray to the Lord.

Oremos por el obispo emérito, Mons. William Weigand en el cuadragésimo aniversario de su ordenación episcopal.  Que el Señor Jesús, el buen pastor, brinde a este fiel colaborador suyo buena salud, sabiduría, y gozo. Roguemos al Señor.

Read More

from Catholic Herald Magazine, May/June 2013

About Bishop Emeritus William K. Weigand

Born

May 23, 1937, in Bend, Ore.

Schools

  • Elementary - Mt. St. Joseph Academy, Tekoa, Wash., 1943-1950
  • St. Mary’s School, St. Maries, Idaho, 1950-1951
  • High School - Mt. Angel Minor Seminary, St. Benedict, Ore., 1951-1955
  • College - Mt. Angel Seminary, St. Benedict, Ore., 1955-1957
  • St. Edward’s Seminary, Kenmore, Wash., 1957-1959, B.A. degree in philosophy
  • Theology - St. Thomas Seminary, Kenmore, Wash., 1959-1963, master of divinity

Ordination to Priesthood

  • May 25, 1963, St. Mary’s Church, St. Maries, Idaho, by Bishop Sylvester W. Treinen, D.D., bishop of Boise

Assignments as a Priest

  • Associate pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Lewiston, Idaho, 1963-1964, and St. Mary’s Parish, Boise, Idaho, 1964-1965
  • Administrator of St. Matthew Mission, Eagle; St. Henry’s Mission, Grandview, Idaho Queen of Heaven Mission, Oreana, Idaho, 1965-1968
  • Chancellor and Vice-officialis of the Diocese of Boise, 1964-1968
  • Member of the Boise Council of Priests
  • Founding Member of the Boise Diocesan Ecumenical Commission
  • Missionary in South America, pastor of the parish of St. John the Baptist in Cali, Colombia, S.A., May 1968 - December 1977
  • Pastor of St. Hubert’s Parish, Homedale, Idaho, January 1978 - November 1980.

Ordination to Episcopacy

  • Appointed seventh bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Sept. 3, 1980. Ordained and installed Nov. 17, 1980, Salt Lake City.
  • Appointed eighth bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento, Nov. 30, 1993. Installed Jan. 27, 1994, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Sacramento. Living donor liver transplant, April 1, 2005, (Dan M. Haverty, donor).
  • Retired as bishop of the Diocese of Sacramento, Nov. 30, 2008.