Former chancellor of Fort Worth Catholic diocese dies

By DARREN BARBEE

DBarbee@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH -- The Rev. Robert Wilson, former chancellor of the Fort Worth Roman Catholic Diocese who sought to involve the laity in the church and was known for his compassionate ministry, died early Christmas morning. He was 76.

The Rev. Wilson, pastor of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Aledo, was found unconscious at home and was taken to a hospital where he died, diocese spokesman Pat Svacina said Friday.

"He was a hardworking priest who helped me enormously my first year in Texas," Bishop Kevin W. Vann said. "He was considerate and kind to me and everyone with whom he had contact.

"He shared his vast knowledge [of Fort Worth] with me so I, too, could know Fort Worth."

Often acting as former Bishop Joseph P. Delaney's top assistant, the Rev. Wilson dealt with several sexual-abuse accusations made against diocese priests and was later criticized by diocese officials for his handling of some cases.

But to those who knew him and worshipped with him, the Rev. Wilson was a man who put people and service first. In his last assignment, at Holy Redeemer, he threw himself into the building of a new church for a congregation that has long met in a high school.

He established a relationship with a congregation in Honduras and encouraged his parishioners to put about 120 roofs over the heads of poor families in that country.

Native Texan

The Rev. Wilson was born Oct. 23, 1932, in San Antonio and grew up in Fort Worth.

Frank Bettinger, who attended Laneri High School in Fort Worth with the Rev. Wilson, said he was one of the most popular students in his class.

"He was quite a guy," he said. "He was among the top students in his class. He has always been among the tops in everything he did."

But the future priest also had a competitive side. Once the two friends raced in their cars to St. Patrick Cathedral from Bettinger's home, Bettinger in a 1937 Chevrolet and the Rev. Wilson in a Plymouth.

Bettinger barely won, and "it wasn't very long before he pulled up right behind me."

The Rev. Wilson was ordained a priest of the Dallas Diocese on May 27, 1957. The Fort Worth Diocese was formed in 1969.

The Rev. Tim Thompson of St. Mark Catholic Church in Denton knew the Rev. Wilson for 25 years and said the priest liked to be direct, think through things clearly and be compassionate and understanding of others. Thompson said the Rev. Wilson was committed to the idea of lay people being involved in the life of the church.

"He wanted the church to be open to everyone, to be available to everyone, to find the wisdom of everyone for the leadership of the church," Thompson said.

And Thompson said the Rev. Wilson inspired confidence in many.

"When he was around, you know you felt a certain sense of security and trust in his presence and judgment," he said. "I think that's why I related to him very well."

Ellen Schwinger of North Richland Hills called the Rev. Wilson "a man's man and a priest's priest."

She remembers a sermon the Rev. Wilson gave at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in North Richland Hills more than 30 years ago that centered on the story of Don Quixote.

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