CNA Staff, Aug 6, 2020 / 03:09 am
Pope Francis has accepted the early resignation of Bishop John LeVoir, who has led the Minnesota diocese of New Ulm since 2008, and took a leave from his position last month to be assessed for physical and psychological concerns.
"I applaud Bishop LeVoir for recognizing his health concerns and making the request for early retirement. I thank him for his devoted leadership during his tenure as the shepherd of our diocese," Msgr. Douglas Grams, Levoir's vicar general in the diocese, said in an Aug. 6 press release.
LeVoir was not expected to retire until at least February 2021, seven months from now, when he will turn 75, the age at which bishops customarily submit letters of resignation to the pope. But the diocese said the bishop has been seeking treatment and assessment at a facility in Alma, Michigan, and will remain at the facility until September to begin a "therapy plan."
The diocese did not specify what conditions afflict the bishop, who said Aug. 6 "it has been a privilege to have served the faithful of the Diocese of New Ulm."