Andrew Peter Wypych (born December 5, 1954) is a Polish-born prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as an auxiliary bishop and episcopal vicar of the Archdiocese of Chicago from 2011 to 2023.


Andrew Peter Wypych
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Chicago
Titular Bishop of Naraggara
SeeArchdiocese of Chicago
AppointedJune 13, 2011
InstalledAugust 10, 2011
RetiredSeptember 19, 2023
Other post(s)Titular Bishop of Naraggara
Orders
OrdinationApril 29, 1979
ConsecrationAugust 10, 2011
by Francis George, Gustavo Garcia-Siller, and Józek Guzdek
Personal details
Born (1954-12-05) December 5, 1954 (age 69)
NationalityPolish
EducationMajor Seminary of the Archdiocese of Kraków
Papal Academy of Theology
MottoThe love of Christ impels us
Styles of
Andrew Peter Wypych
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Biography

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Early life and education

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Andrew Wypych was born in Kazimierza Wielka, Poland on December 5, 1954, to Henryka Luty and Julian Wypych. He had one brother who died in infancy.[1] Wypych first attended the primary school in Dobieszowice then the secondary school, Liceum Ogólnokształcące, in Działoszyce. Wypych then entered the major seminary of the Archdiocese of Kraków.

In 1973, Wypych started his studies at the Papal Academy of Theology in Kraków, receiving a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1975 and a Master of Theology degree in 1979, On May 6, 1978, Wypych was ordained a deacon by then Cardinal Karol Wojtyła.[2][3]

Ordination and ministry

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On April 29, 1979, Wypych was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Franciszek Macharski for the Archdiocese of Kraków. After his ordination, he served as an associate pastor in Kozy, Poland. In 1981, Wypych was transferred to a parish in Jawiszowice, Poland.[3]

In April 1983, Wypych moved to Illinois to be closer to his mother, who had emigrated there in 1974.[4] In 2011, he revealed in an interview that he had been unable to call his mother for years due to restrictions from the Polish Government of that era.[5]

After arriving in the United States, the Archdiocese of Chicago assigned Wypych to Five Holy Martyrs Parish in Chicago. At the end of 1983, he was transferred to St. Giles Parish in Oak Park, Illinois. In 1985, Wypych became associate pastor of St. Ladislaus Parish in Chicago. Starting in July 1986, he went to St. Pancratius Parish in Chicago.[3]

Having decided to stay in Chicago because of the need for priests, Wypych requested incardination, or transfer, to the Archdiocese of Chicago, which was granted in 1989. In 1996, he began serving also as pastor of Five Holy Martyrs Parish, an assignment that lasted until 1999. Wypych remained at St. Pancratius for 16 years as associate pastor, parochial administrator and pastor. In 2002, Wypych was appointed pastor of St. Francis Borgia Parish in Chicago. During this same time period, he also served as dean of Deanery IV-D and as a member of the archdiocesan college of consultors.[3]

Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago

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On June 13, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI named Wypych as an auxiliary bishop of Chicago and titular bishop of Naraggara.[6] He received his episcopal consecration on August 10, 2011, from Cardinal Francis George, with Bishop Józek Guzdek from the Archdiocese of Białystok in Poland and Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller as co-consecrators. As an auxiliary bishop, Wypych served as episcopal vicar for Vicariate V.[7][2]

Pope Francis accepted Wypych's resignation as auxiliary bishop on September 19, 2023.[8] Wypych had resigned at age 68, seven years before the mandatory retirement age, for health reasons.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Pozywio, Alicja (August 14, 2011). "'Holy Spirit hasn't made a mistake,' friend says of Wypych". Chicago Catholic. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  2. ^ a b "Bishop Andrew Peter Wypych". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
  3. ^ a b c d "Auxiliary Bishops - Archdiocese of Chicago". www.archchicago.org. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  4. ^ "Bishop Wypych: 'He gave me more than I had ever asked for'". Chicago Catholic. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
  5. ^ "Pope Francis accepts resignation of two Chicago auxiliary bishops". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  6. ^ "Rinunce e Nomine, 13.06.2011" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. June 13, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  7. ^ "Andrew Wypych Biographical Summary". Archdiocese of Chicago. Archived from the original on 2011-08-29. Retrieved 2011-08-16.
  8. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 19.09.2023" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  9. ^ "Pope Francis Accepts Resignations of Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Perry and Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Wypych" (Press release). US Conference of Catholic Bishops. September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
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