CathNews
September 21, 2009
http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=16560
Maitland-Newcastle Bishop Michael Malone has written to Pope Benedict XVI, asking the pontiff to consider appointing a Coadjutor Bishop to the diocese, reported by The Newcastle Herald as an appeal for a successor.
"The past 15 years have been difficult and it would be good to share the responsibilities of the diocese with a Coadjutor Bishop," he reportedly told priests in a message.
 |
| Bishop Michael Malone |
"I did this in light of my 70th birthday in October and with the knowledge that the process of appointing a new bishop is often a lengthy one. From an initial request to an appointment could take many months, if not years.
"I would like to think that fresh and creative leadership would shape the future direction and allow for smooth forward planning for the Catholic Church in the diocese."
The appeal comes five years before the customary retirement age of 75, the Herald report added.
The newspaper linked the move to an interview with Bishop Malone three weeks ago, in which the prelate said the Church was "compromised" by silence about "sexual abuse, the elephant in the room". The bishop denied that his request had anything to do with that interview.
In his message to priests Bishop Malone said the Coadjutor Bishop "automatically succeeds the current bishop of a diocese upon the latter's retirement or death."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.