Retired Diocese of London Bishop John Sherlock dies at 93

Bishop John Sherlock is seen in the image from the Diocese of London.

The ninth Bishop of the Diocese of London, the Most Rev. John Michael Sherlock, died Monday at the age of 93.

Born in 1926 in Regina, Sask. and ordained to the Roman Catholic Church in 1950, Sherlock served as Bishop for 24 years, from 1978 until his retirement in 2002.

Sherlock grew up in Brantford, Ont., one of eight children, and entered St. Augustine's Seminary in Toronto after high school. Two of his brothers also became priests.

Described as forward-thinking, Sherlock made contributions in Catholic education, health care, social justice, pastoral care and the implementation of changes resulting from the Second Vatican Council.

He was elected president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1983 and organized Pope Saint John Paul IIs visit to Canada in 1984.

The papal visit is said to be one of the highlights of his life.

Sherlock remained active in London's Roman Catholic community following his retirement; teaching, conducting retreats and missions, and more.

A visitation will be held on Thursday from 1-9 p.m. and Friday from 9-11 a.m. and the funeral mass at 11 a.m. Friday. Everything will take place at St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica in downtown London, Ont.