Vatican City, Apr 15, 2020 / 06:25 am
Pope Francis Wednesday accepted the resignation of Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli, appointing Brooklyn pastor Fr. Kevin J. Sweeney to be his successor as head of the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey.
Serratelli has been bishop of Paterson since 2004. His resignation of the pastoral governance of the New Jersey diocese was accepted just days before his 76th birthday. Diocesan bishops are required by canon law to submit letters of resignation at age 75.
Sweeney, 50, who is the vicar forane of Brooklyn's 8th deanery, will be Paterson's eighth bishop. He is also pastor of St. Michael's Church in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
Bishop Serratelli said in a video message April 15 he knows Catholics of Brooklyn will miss Sweeney's "outreach to the poor, his wise counsel, and his good humor."