Tower Topics ~ Spring 2002

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Former alumni award-winner
named bishop

As a student at Conception Seminary College, a young Dorick Wright often joked that someday he would be pope. While he hasn’t attained the Chair of Peter, he has drawn the attention of the man who sits there. Pope John Paul II in December appointed Msgr. Wright auxiliary bishop of his native diocese, Belize City-Belmopan. He will be ordained April 4 in Belize City.

“I see this in two ways,” the bishop-elect said. “First, it is an awesome responsibility. As the Scripture says, ‘Man has been entrusted with much and much is expected of him.’” But he added that the appointment is also an expression of the Holy Father’s confidence “not only in me but in all Catholics of Belize. This is an honor and we should all be proud.”

Bishop-elect Wright was born in Belize City in 1945, and ordained to the priesthood in 1975. He attended Conception Seminary College from 1967 to 1972. In 2000 he received Conception’s Alumni Award for Distinguished Service for his long service, especially among the poor of his native city. He most recently was vicar general of his diocese and served as chaplain at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. He was also pastor of Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Belize City.

Father Benedict Neenan, a fellow 1972 graduate, wasn’t surprised at his old classmate’s appointment.

“Dorick is clearly a man with a very big pastoral heart,” Father Benedict said. “Happily it is connected to a great sense of humor and a hearty laugh.” Father Benedict said the bishop-elect loves the people of his homeland, and he has demonstrated that love through his years of hard work.

“I have always been impressed with Dorick’s gentle and caring qualities,” Father Benedict said. “And he certainly has the pastoral and administrative skills. He is such a good choice.”

Bishop-elect Wright expressed his gratitude to the monks of Conception Abbey for welcoming him and three other seminarians from Belize in 1966.

“They didn’t charge us anything for our education or for room and board,” he said. “I will always be very grateful to the Benedictines because without them I might not have been able to go to seminary. I am especially grateful to the late Abbot Anselm Coppersmith and the late Father Conrad Faulk, who was rector, for making it possible.”

Bishop-elect Wright is the eighth graduate of Conception to be named bishop. But he is not the first high-profile appointment from the class of 1972. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was a member of the class as well.

“We were a bunch of characters,” the bishop-elect said with a laugh, “but I guess something good came of us.”

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