VALE BISHOP PETER INGHAM
Peter William Ingham, the fourth bishop of Wollongong, died peacefully in the late evening of 26 April 2024. He was 83 years of age and almost 60 years a priest.
With the mention of the name, Bishop Peter Ingham, words and images immediately spring to mind. Bishop Peter had a prodigious memory for names and faces, and it was a great joy to him to be among people at diocesan or civic gatherings. His warm and welcoming, happy and caring nature were evident in his engagement with each person. He was compassionate and approachable, faith-filled and prayerful—in essence, a servant leader. His greatest joy was to be a disciple of Jesus and a true shepherd of God’s people.In 2016, Bishop Peter was diagnosed with fibrosis of the lungs which restricted his airways and his capacity to exert himself. As his condition deteriorated, he was cared for by a close family friend with the assistance of his doctor and palliative care teams in Sydney.
He faced his death with the dignity, graciousness and serenity that had characterised his life—gently surrendering into the arms of our loving God at 83 years of age on 26 April 2024.Paying tribute to the the impact Bishop Peter had on the Diocese of Wollongong, our current bishop, Bishop Brian Mascord said: “Bishop Peter was a spiritual father of the Illawarra, Macarthur, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. We offer him a heartfelt ‘well done, good and faithful servant’ (Matthew 25:23), and we take comfort in the sure hope that we now have another advocate in the presence of our Lord praying for the needs and salvation of the people of God in the Diocese of Wollongong.“A man of God—a man for the people. May his noble soul rest in peace.”
Please find an announcement from Bishop Brian Mascord, a timeline of the life of Bishop Peter Ingham, and a media release for your information.