Bishop leads tributes to Wheeler

BY ANDRRW M BROWN
BISHOP DAVID Konstant of Leeds gave a generous tribute to the late Bishop William Gordon Wheeler on Sunday, in a message that was read out at Mass in every parish in the diocese of Leeds. Bishop Konstant asked for the
prayers of the faithful for the repose of the soul of Bishop Wheeler, who, he said, served the diocese faithfully and loyally for 19 years.
"He became bishop here just after the end of the Second Vatican Council," said Bishop Konstant. "During his time among us he did much to introduce the reforms proposed by the Council." Bishop Konstant celebrated the Funeral Mass for Bishop Wheeler in the presence of Cardinal Hume at St Anne's Cathedral, Leeds, on Tuesday. (This is contrary to a report in last week's Catholic Herald, which stated the funeral was last week). The Cardinal paid tribute at the Mass to Bishop Wheeler's "special gift" for friendship, his charm, his sense of humour and his loyalty. "'Style' was the word," he said. "Warm hospitality, gracious manners, the highest standards." The cardinal added that the bishop was a man of deep prayer, and that his most characteristic quality was his charity.