Bishop Yanta retires; auxiliary bishop in San Antonio to succeed him

Published: 2008-01-03

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop John W. Yanta of Amarillo, Texas, and named Auxiliary Bishop Patrick J. Zurek of San Antonio to succeed him. Bishop Yanta, 76, also formerly served as an auxiliary bishop in the San Antonio Archdiocese and has been bishop of Amarillo since 1997. His retirement was accepted under the canon law requirement that bishops submit their resignations at age 75. The resignation and appointment were announced in Washington Jan. 3 by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop Yanta's legacy in Amarillo includes the creation of a new priestly society, the Missionaries of the Gospel of Life, dedicated to pro-life ministry. He also served as the first president of the Polish American Congress of Texas, was president of the Texas Catholic Conference of Priest Senates and organized the Polish American Priests Association. During the 2004 elections, he was one of a handful of bishops who said Catholic politicians who continue to support legal abortion after pastoral counseling should be denied Communion.

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