Archbishop of Kansas City, Kan., resigns; his coadjutor succeeds him

Published: 2005-01-17

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II has accepted the resignation of Archbishop James P. Keleher of Kansas City, Kan., and Coadjutor Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann automatically succeeds him as head of the archdiocese. Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, papal nuncio to the United States, announced the changes in Washington Jan. 15. Archbishop Naumann, 55, a former auxiliary bishop of St. Louis who was named coadjutor a year ago, symbolically took the reins as head of the archdiocese during the annual gala dinner for Catholic Charities that evening in Kansas City. Archbishop Keleher, 73, said in a statement that he was delighted to have Archbishop Naumann as his successor. "I truly feel that Archbishop Naumann will continue the progress and enhance the programs already in place," he said. In comments during his first Mass as head of the archdiocese the next day, Archbishop Naumann said he has been inspired in his months in the archdiocese "by the vitality and vibrancy of the church."

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