Peter Ingham (bishop)


Peter William Ingham is an Australian bishop. He was the fourth Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Wollongong, serving from 2001 to 2018.

Early years

Born at Crows Nest, New South Wales to George and Marjorie Ingham, Peter Ingham's early education was completed at St Leonard's Primary School, Naremburn, and St Pius X College, Chatswood. He studied for the priesthood at St Columba's Seminary, Springwood, and at St Patrick's Seminary, Manly, and ordained a priest by Cardinal Gilroy at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney on 18 July 1964.
Ingham served as an assistant priest in Rosebery, Newtown, St Mary's and Auburn South. He was the private secretary to Cardinal Freeman and Secretary of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
He was nominated as a monsignor by Pope John Paul II in 1986. In 1990 he was appointed parish priest of St Charles' Ryde. He was appointed as an auxiliary bishop in the Sydney archdiocese on 24 May 1993 and consecrated on 12 July by Cardinal Edward Clancy as the Titular Bishop of Pudentiana.

Bishop of Wollongong

Ingham was appointed to his bishopric on 6 June 2001 and installed as the fourth Bishop of Wollongong on 25 July 2001.
Ingham is a member of the Bishops Commission for Liturgy and the Bishops Commission for Mission and Faith Formation. In 2006 he was elected President of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania. In October 2008 he participated in the 12th Synod of Bishops at the Vatican.
In September 2009, he was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to participate in the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, that was held from 4 to 25 October at the Vatican, themed "The Church in Africa, at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace."
On 16 March 2007, Ingham dedicated the renovated St Francis Xavier's Cathedral as a sacred place, not previously undertaken by church officials, despite over 162 years of service at the location.

Retirement

Ingham announced his retirement on 30 November 2017. the appointment of Brian Mascord, who was immediately appoint to succeed Ingham as Bishop of Wollongong, was then installed on 22 February 2018.