Fr Bruce Wilkinson, a retired African-American priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, died this month while recovering from a stroke suffered in the fall. He was 70 years old.
The archdiocese announced the news on the day of his passing, March 24, describing it as the result of a “short illness.”
“He lived a remarkable life filled with his role as a Catholic priest, his love of astronomy, trains and baseball,” reads a post on his personal Facebook account.
“Fr. Bruce was a warm and caring person and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”
The Archdiocese of Atlanta has announced that Fr Bruce Wilkinson (@padreinatlanta) passed away today following a stroke he suffered in November.
— Nate Tinner-Williams (@natemup) March 25, 2025
Funeral arrangements are pending. pic.twitter.com/aszF2K0jJL
Born in 1954, Wilkinson was raised in Chicago by Baptist parents he described as not particularly religious. While in college at Purdue University in Indiana, he was exposed to Catholicism after losing a bet and visiting a local parish, according to the Georgia Bulletin.
After transferring to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Wilkinson worshiped at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, a historically Black parish, before being baptized in 1974.
Inspired by the Healy family of Georgia—which produced several of the nation’s first Black Catholic priests and women religious—Wilkinson sensed a call to the priesthood and entered formation for the archdiocese.
He attended Saint Meinrad Seminary in Indiana and the Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio. As he later wrote in pieces for America, Wilkinson faced racism both within and outside the Church during his time as a seminarian, He was eventually asked to leave formation due to conflicts related to his race.
Wilkinson returned to seminary and was ordained in 1981, later serving at several parishes with a strong Black presence—including St. Anthony’s, Sts. Peter and Paul in Decatur, and the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament in South Fulton. At his home parish, he was instrumental in establishing the first unit of the Knights of Peter and Ladies Auxiliary in 1986.
Wilkinson retired from active ministry in 2017, having also served two stints as head of Black Catholic ministries for the archdiocese, including as the founding director. The OBCM named a parish evangelization award in his honor in 2002, and he celebrated 25 years in ministry in 2006.
His retirement years were spent exploring the country via train, indulging in his love of baseball, and promoting science. Wilkinson also became known for fostering digital community centered on faith and social justice, amassing more than 8,000 followers across his social media platforms.
He announced in November 2024 that he had suffered a stroke and in December that he was receiving treatment in rehab, but this would serve as his final online posting before his death.
A funeral Mass for Wilkinson will be held at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta on Thursday, April 10, at 10am ET. Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer, OFM Conv. of Atlanta is expected to celebrate the liturgy.
Condolences can be sent to the Mainor/Wilkinson family at 479 East Paces Ferry Rd NE, Apt. #702 in Atlanta.
Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.
