James Whyte

James Whyte (12 October 1868 – 26 December 1957) was the third Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin (1920–1957).

Early life Whyte was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland in 1868. He spent six years (from 1886 to 1892) in ecclesiastical training for the priesthood at St Kieran's College, Kilkenny.

After leaving that position he was assistant priest at St Benedict's Church and at St Mary's Cathedral. In Sydney, he also held the positions of Archdiocesan Inspector of Schools, Chancellor of the Sydney archdiocese and Director of the Catholic Press. He was also the first resident priest of Stanmore.

Whyte was chairman of directors of the New Zealand Tablet Company for many years and was active in promoting the cause of the Catholic press in New Zealand. In July 1942 the golden jubilee of Whyte's ordination was celebrated bringing visitors from all parts of New Zealand. The jubilee Mass was celebrated by Archbishop O'Shea and at the jubilee dinner an ode written by the New Zealand poet Eileen Duggan was read out.

Whyte celebrated his diamond jubilee in 1952, while his silver jubilee as a bishop was marked in December, 1945, by ceremonies of an entirely religious nature. In January 1943 Hugh John O'Neill was appointed as Coadjutor Bishop of Dunedin, but ill health forced his resignation in 1946. In 1949 John Kavanagh was appointed as Apostolic Administrator "sede plena" and coadjutor with the right of succession.

Death Whyte died on 26 December 1957, aged 89. He had been a priest for 65 years and a bishop for 37 years. His body lay in state at St Joseph's Cathedral until a solemn requiem Mass was celebrated on 30 December 1957, attended by all the hierarchy of New Zealand, and a large concourse of clergy and laity. His pall-bearers were six Christian Brothers. He was buried in the Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.