Hierarchy update

The Holy See announced today that Bishop Robert Vasa, who, until today, served as bishop of the Diocese of Baker, Oregon, will become coadjutor to Bishop Daniel Walsh for the Diocese of Santa Rosa, California. Bishop Walsh turns 75, the canonically mandated age at which bishops must submit their resignations to the pope, in October 2012. Most often a coadjutor is appointed at the request of the retiring bishop, particularly if he is considering retirement before reaching 75, which he can do for serious reasons, such as declining health.

With this move the number of vacant Latin Rite dioceses increases to 5: Baker, OR; Salina, KS; Fresno, CA; Joliet in Illinois; Rapid City, SD. The Ruthenian archeparchy of Pittsburgh also remains vacant.

There remain eight ordinaries serving past age 75- Justin Cardinal Rigali archbishop of Philiadelphia; Bishops Boland of Savannah, GA; Sevilla of Yakima, WA; McCormack of Manchester, NH; Bruskewitz of Lincoln, NE; Galeone of St. Augustine, FL; Zipfel of Bismarck, ND; Gettelfinger of Evansville, IN.

Speaking of coadjutors, in February Cardinal Mahony of Los Angeles turns 75 and will likely be succeeded by his coadjutor Archbishop Gómez at that time. Bishop Thomas Doran of Rockford, Illnois also turns 75 next month.

I can't write too many of these without drawing attention to the very valuable service provided by the Catholic Hierarchy website and blog, which is worthy of your support.