Bishop Gossman retires, successor named; Philly gets new auxiliary

Published: 2006-06-08

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop F. Joseph Gossman of Raleigh, N.C., and named Philadelphia Auxiliary Bishop Michael F. Burbidge to succeed him. The pope also appointed Msgr. Daniel E. Thomas, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Strafford, Pa., and a former Vatican official, as auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia. Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States, announced the changes in Washington June 8. Bishop Burbidge is to be installed as bishop of Raleigh Aug. 4. Bishop-designate Thomas is to be ordained in Philadelphia July 26. Bishop Gossman, 76, has been a bishop since 1968 and head of the Raleigh Diocese since 1975. With his retirement there are only five active U.S. bishops who were given their current post by Pope Paul VI.

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