Up to 22 U.S. bishops could retire for age reasons in 2004

Published: 2004-01-08

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- When Bishop Anthony G. Bosco of Greensburg, Pa., retired Jan. 2 at the age of 76, he was the first of as many as 22 active U.S. bishops who could retire in 2004 because of age. Last year there were 33 U.S. bishops who were already 75 or reached that age during the year. By year's end 17 of them had retired. Church law says that at age 75 a bishop "is requested to present his resignation" to the pope. The pope may refuse a bishop's resignation or delay accepting it, and Pope John Paul II has often kept bishops in their posts for a year or more after they celebrate their 75th birthday. The age-75 rule, which implemented a policy established by the world's bishops in 1965 at the Second Vatican Council, was incorporated into general church law for the Latin church in 1983 and for the Eastern Catholic churches in 1991.

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