Belize’s eighth bishop laid to rest

The Funeral Mass for Bishop Emeritus Dorick McGowan Wright took place last Wednesday with a mobile procession at 9 a.m. which drove past the Catholic churches in Belize City.

The funeral service was held at the Holy Redeemer Cathedral at 10 a.m. and Bishop Wright was laid to rest in the Cathedral’s garden following the service. A breakingbelizenews.com article said that as social distancing measures are still in place, the Diocese will host a Memorial Mass at a later date, which will include simultaneous Masses at all parishes.

The Diocese also thanked the public for the support and prayers during this time and encouraged everyone to stay safe and continue practicing social distancing.

A press release from the Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan said that the Diocese was “deeply sad” at the passing of Bishop Emeritus Wright, at 5.20 a.m. Wednesday, April 15 after a long battle with diabetes.

Bishop Wright was predeceased by his parents Howard Wright and Florence Wright nee Purcell. He was born in Belize City on November 15, 1945. He did his studies at Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri, USA and Kenrick Theological Seminary in St Louis, Missouri, USA. He was ordained priest June 27, 1975 at Holy Redeemer Cathedral, Belize City.

From 1975 to 1976, he was assigned as associate pastor of St Joseph Church in Belize City. Afterwards he was pastor of the same church from 1976 to 1977. He became associate pastor of Holy Redeemer Cathedral from 1977 to 1979 and afterwards was transferred to La Inmaculada Church in Orange Walk. He was associate pastor there from 1979 to 1981. From 1981 to 1984 Bishop Wright was the pastor of La Inmaculada Church.

He became pastor at Holy Redeemer Cathedral from 1984 and Vicar General of the diocese. From 1997 to 2001 he was president of the Presbyterial Council. In 1997 he received the title of Domestic Prelate of His Holiness.

While at Holy Redeemer Cathedral he was a member of the Belize Choral Society and served as chaplain at the prison in Hattieville and at the Belize City hospital. Many students in need received his help in getting their education.

He was ordained Auxiliary Bishop on April 4, 2002 and later installed as the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Belize City & Belmopan on January 21, 2007.

Bishop Wright was the second native Belizean to serve as Bishop of the Diocese of Belize City & Belmopan. In August 2013 he opened St Benedict Diocesan Seminary in Santa Elena, Cayo. Due to his health Bishop Wright retired on February 27, 2017.

In his Coat of Arms, Bishop Wright selected a device that reflected his life as a man, as a priest and as a bishop – a palm tree “proper”, or , “as it appears in nature”. The tree held not only national significance for him, but also very particular and personal significance for during a hurricane in 1961, he was saved by riding out the storm by holding fast to a tree.

In his episcopal motto, Bishop Wright expressed the hope that what we do in our lives, “MAY ALL BEGIN AND END IN CHRIST.” May his soul rest in peace.