Joliet, Ill., Dec 28, 2019 / 09:20 am
The Diocese of Joliet announced Friday that Bishop Daniel Conlon will take a medical leave of absence from leadership of the Illinois diocese.
During Conlon's absence, "Bishop Richard E. Pates, Bishop Emeritus of Des Moines, will serve as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese," the diocese said in a Dec. 27 statement. "Bishop Conlon expresses his deep affection for the clergy, religious and laity of the Diocese of Joliet and will keep them in his prayers during his time away. He also asks for their prayers," the statement added.
The diocese did not say what health problems Conlon is facing.
Conlon, 71, has been Joliet's bishop since 2011. From 2002 until 2011 he was Bishop of Steubenville, and before that a priest in the Diocese of Steubenville.