August 03, 2005

Bishop turns 75 today, submits resignation

BURLINGTON (VT)
Burlington Free Press

Published: Wednesday, August 3, 2005

By Andy Netzel
Free Press Staff Writer

Roman Catholic Bishop Kenneth Angell will turn 75 years old today, and in accordance with church law he will submit his resignation to the pope.

Angell, whose Burlington diocese covers Vermont, will remain bishop until Pope Benedict XVI accepts the resignation. That could be as soon as weeks or as long as years.

The Rev. Wendell Searles, vicar general of the diocese, said the workings in Vatican City are unknown.

"There's no way of knowing what the timeline is apt to be," he said.

Searles said Tuesday that the bishop was in good spirits as he prepared to submit his letter of resignation.

Angell has served the diocese since 1992. He has led Vermont's 148,000 Catholics through the sexual abuse scandals and the creation of civil unions.

Posted by kshaw at August 3, 2005 08:41 AM