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	Bishop 'Recovering Well' from Emergency Surgery By Trevor Maxwel Portland Press Herald [Maine] May 23, 2006 http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/060523malone.shtml The leader of Maine's 235,000 Roman Catholics is recovering at home after emergency surgery on Sunday morning. Bishop Richard Malone underwent gall bladder surgery at Mercy Hospital in Portland, said Sue Bernard, spokeswoman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. "He is recovering well and recuperating at home," Bernard said in a news release. Officials at the diocese cancelled Malone's schedule for this week. His work load for the following week will depend on an evaluation by doctors a few days from now. Malone took over as bishop on March 31, 2004, succeeding Bishop Joseph Gerry, who returned to a monastery in Manchester, N.H. As bishop, Malone has been front and center during the sexual abuse scandal, which exploded nationwide in 2002 and continues to divide some of the state's Catholics. Malone also has led the reorganization of Maine's 135 parishes, as the number of priests dwindles. His plan consolidates the parishes into 27 clusters, and allows for more power and responsibility among lay ministers. Malone usually leads Sunday Mass once a month at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, said Betty Cyr, who heads up the cathedral's finance council. She heard about the bishop's surgery on Sunday night, after Monsignor Paul Stefanko announced the news during the 5 p.m. Mass. "I just saw him on Easter and he was fine," Cyr said of Malone. She said parishioners are praying for a speedy recovery. This is the time of year when Malone travels around the state to lead confirmation ceremonies. Bernard could not be reached Monday night to provide specifics about Malone's surgery. In most cases of emergency gall bladder surgery, the organ is removed because of stones or blockage. Following successful surgery of this type, most patients return to work within a week. "Knowing Bishop Malone, he will be back at work as soon as he gets the doctor's approval, if not sooner," Cyr said. Malone is expected to miss a special Mass this Thursday for more than 25 new Catholics who joined the diocese this spring. Monsignor Stefanko will likely lead the 7 p.m. neophyte Mass, Cyr said. Bob Reardon hopes the bishop will have a faster than expected recovery, and feel well enough to attend the special Mass. "That is the hope," Reardon said. "Time will tell on that one. We wish him Godspeed recovery." Staff Writer Trevor Maxwell can be contacted at 791-6451 or at: tmaxwell@pressherald.com
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