Bishop resignation

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Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Ill., mother church of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Credit: Edlane De Mattos/Shutterstock.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of two Chicago auxiliary bishops

Sep 19, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Auxiliary Bishops Andrew P. Wypych and Joseph N. Perry will step down after the Holy Father accepted their resignations. Read more

Bishop Michael Warfel's resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings was accepted by Pope Francis on Aug. 22, 2023.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of Great Falls-Billings Bishop Michael Warfel

Aug 22, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Bishop Michael Warfel will be automatically succeeded by 57-year-old Bishop Jeffrey Fleming, coadjutor bishop of Great Falls-Billings. Read more

Bishop Michael Fitzgerald on the day of his consecration as a bishop on Aug. 6, 2010.

Auxiliary Bishop Michael Fitzgerald retires after 4 decades serving Archdiocese of Philadelphia

May 24, 2023

By Courtney Mares

With degrees in both civil and canon law, Fitzgerald served as the judicial vicar and the founding director of the... Read more

Archbishop Michael O. Jackels.

Archbishop Michael O. Jackels of Dubuque, Iowa, resigns for health reasons

Apr 4, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Jackels, who will turn 69 on April 13, has led the Archdiocese of Dubuque since May 2013. Read more

Bishop Paul Sanchez.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of Brooklyn auxiliary bishop at age 75

Mar 30, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Paul Sanchez had served as an auxiliary since 2012. Read more

Bishop Raymond Chappetto, who retired as Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn March 7, 2022.

Brooklyn auxiliary bishop resigns at age 76

Mar 7, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

The resignation of Bishop Raymond Francis Chappetto as Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn was accepted Monday by Pope Francis. Read more

Archbishop Stefan Heße of Hamburg.

Pope Francis declines resignation of German Catholic archbishop

Sep 15, 2021

By CNA Staff

Hamburg Archbishop Stefan Heße announced in March that he was offering his resignation. Read more

Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral in Broome, Australia.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of Australian bishop investigated for sexual abuse

Aug 28, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The 71-year-old Bishop Christopher Saunders had taken temporary leave from the administration of his diocese in March 2020. Read more

Bishop John R. Manz, pictured in 2012.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of 75-year-old Chicago auxiliary bishop

Jul 1, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Bishop John R. Manz celebrated 50 years as a priest and 25 years as a bishop in May. Read more

Bishop George A. Sheltz.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of 75-year-old auxiliary bishop in Texas

Jun 22, 2021

By CNA Staff

Bishop George A. Sheltz has served as an auxiliary bishop of Galveston-Houston since 2012. Read more

Bishop Herbert Bevard of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Screengrab: EWTN News Nightly.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of Bishop Bevard of US Virgin Islands

Sep 18, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis accepted the resignation Friday of Bishop Herbert Bevard of the U.S. Virgin Islands after he was hospitalized and... Read more

Fr. Michel Mulloy. Courtesy of the Diocese of Duluth.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of Duluth Bishop-elect Michel Mulloy after abuse allegation

Sep 7, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the Bishop-elect of Duluth, Minnesota, Michel J. Mulloy, after an accusation that he... Read more

Bishop John LeVoir.

Minnesota bishop retires early while seeking health treatment

Aug 6, 2020

Pope Francis has accepted the early resignation of Bishop John LeVoir, who has led the Minnesota diocese of New Ulm... Read more

U.S. bishops from New York during their ad limina visit to Rome in Nov. 2019.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of Buffalo’s Bishop Edward Grosz

Mar 2, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis Monday accepted the resignation of Bishop Edward Grosz, the auxiliary bishop of Buffalo, who has faced accusations of... Read more

Archbishop Luigi Ventura, then-Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, speaks at a Mass and Concert held in Ottawa, April 2, 2009.

Accused nuncio to France resigns post

Dec 17, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Tuesday accepted Archbishop Luigi Ventura's resignation as apostolic nuncio to France. Ventura was accused of sexual assault earlier... Read more

Bishop Richard J. Malone.

Buffalo's Bishop Richard Malone resigns after year of scandal

Dec 4, 2019

Pope Francis Wednesday accepted the resignation of Buffalo’s embattled Bishop Richard Malone. The Diocese of Buffalo will be administered by... Read more

Bishop Martin D. Holley. Courtesy Photo.

Pope Francis removes Bishop Holley as head of Memphis diocese

Oct 24, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Wednesday removed Bishop Martin D. Holley from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Memphis and appointed Archbishop... Read more

Bishop Robert Barron responds to a question about Wuerl's resignation at the Vatican on Oct. 12, 2018.

U.S. bishops hope Wuerl’s resignation is a step toward healing

Oct 12, 2018

Several U.S. bishops responding to the official resignation of Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C. expressed hope Friday that the... Read more

A bishop's pectoral cross.

Pope accepts resignation of Bishop Bransfield as inquiry into misconduct claims launched

Sep 13, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Thursday accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael J. Bransfield from the pastoral government of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston,... Read more

Archbishop Philip Wilson. Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Adelaide.

Pope accepts resignation of Australian archbishop convicted of not reporting abuse

Jul 30, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis accepted Monday the resignation of Archbishop Philip Wilson following calls for the prelate’s removal as head of the... Read more