Auxiliary Bishop Benjamin Ibberson Webster (1946 - 1954)

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Benjamin Webster was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England on March 7, 1898. He and his parents immigrated to Canada when he was approximately seven years old and settled in St. Catharines. He attended Separate School and St. Catharines Collegiate Institute before attending St. Michael's College from 1915 to 1919. He entered St. Augustine's Seminary in 1919 and was ordained priest in St. Michael's Cathedral by Archbishop Neil McNeil on May 26, 1923.

Father Webster served as associate pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Toronto, Guardian Angels Parish, Orillia, St. Michael's Cathedral and St. Helen's Parish, Toronto before becoming Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, Grimsby in July of 1936. He was later transferred to St. Mary's Parish, Welland in 1942 where he served until September 1946.

Father Webster was elected titular Bishop of Paphus and Auxiliary to Cardinal James C. McGuigan on September 24, 1946. He was consecrated in St. Michael's Cathedral on November 21, 1946 by Cardinal McGuigan assisted by Bishop John T. Kidd of London and Bishop Joseph F. Ryan of Hamilton. As well as assisting Cardinal McGuigan with various episcopal duties, Bishop Webster also served as Diocesan Consultor. From 1951 to 1954 he was also Pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, Toronto.

On April 21, 1954 Bishop Webster was appointed Bishop of Peterborough Diocese. He served in that capacity until his retirement on March 12, 1968 at which time he became titular Bishop of Tigamibena and Chaplain of St. Joseph's Hospital, Parry Sound. Bishop Webster died in Parry Sound on January 18, 1981, and was interred in St. Peter's Cemetery, Peterborough.