Office of the Vicar General

The Very Reverend William D. Thompson is the Vicar General for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

The Vicar General assists the diocesan bishop in the governance of the whole diocese.

"By virtue of office, the vicar general has the executive power over the whole diocese which belongs to the diocesan bishop by law, namely, the power to place all administrative acts except those, however, which the bishop has reserved to himself or which require a special mandate of the bishop by law" (c. 479 §1). The vicar general must be a priest and has the title of a local ordinary (c. 134).  He is to report more important affairs to the diocesan bishop and must always act according to the intention and mind of the diocesan bishop (c. 480).

The Vicar General's office can be contacted at 507-516-6945. When you call, you will be directed to Rose Bengal, the Vicar General's assistant.

Policy for Extern Clergy Ministering in DOW-R

Policy for DOW-R Clergy Ministering Outside of the Diocese