NEW MEXICO
ABQ Journal
Archbishop of Santa Fe Michael Sheehan put parishioners on notice Sunday that a successor could be leading the archdiocese by this time next year.
Sheehan said the Roman Catholic Church requires him to submit a letter of resignation on his 75th birthday in July, though it remains unknown when Pope Francis would name a successor, Sheehan said in a recorded message played at some churches during Mass.
“As many of you know, I turn 75 years old on July 9, 2014,” Sheehan said in the recorded message announcing the 2014 Annual Catholic Appeal, the archbishop’s annual fundraising event.
“At that time I must submit my resignation letter to the Holy See,” he said. “It may take awhile for my successor to be appointed but by ACA 2015, I hope that our new archbishop will be here among us.”
Celine Radigan, spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, said the decision lies with Pope Francis when to accept the resignation and to choose Sheehan’s successor.
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