Bishop of Camden Diocese Retires; Replaced with NYC Cleric

Daily Journal
January 8, 2013

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20130108/NEWS01/301080049/Bishop-Camden-Diocese-retires-replaced-NYC-cleric?nclick_check=1

Bishop Joseph Galante is retiring as head of the Diocese of Camden and will be replaced by a New York City cleric, church officials said Tuesday.

The South Jersey diocese now is to be led by Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan, 67, auxiliary bishop of New York. He will oversee some 511,000 Catholics in six counties, or about 35 percent of the region's population.

The diocese said Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Galante, 74. The announcement gave no reason for Galante's departure, but the bishop has faced health concerns in recent years, including the need for dialysis due to kidney disease.

Sullivan, born in New York City, holds degrees from Iona College and St. Joseph's Seminary. He also studied Spanish at the Catholic University in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Sullivan was ordained a priest for the New York archdiocese in 1971, and named a domestic prelate, with the title “monsignor,” in 1999. He was named an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 2004.

Galante would have reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 in July, noted Rocco Palma, a Philadelphia-based church analyst.

Sullivan has served most recently as vicar general of the New York archdiocese, where Cardinal Timothy Dolan described him as "my right-hand man."

"His many years of service on the Lower East Side of Manhattan have given him a special closeness and dedication to the immigrant community, particularly the Latino and Asian population, who continue to be a vital and vibrant part of the Church in New York," Dolan said in a prepared statement.

Dolan said Sullivan has served in the New York archdiocese for more than 40 years.

Cardinal Edward Egan, archbishop emeritus in New York, cited Sullivan's "total commitment to the clergy, religous and faithful....especially those of Latin American and Asian heritage and those most in need."

“Bishop Galante submitted his resignation early due to his health,” he said. “It’s been fairly well known within diocesan circles for the better part of a year. ... Obviously, it’s been a challenging time.”