Bishop Weigand of Sacramento retires; Bishop Soto succeeds him

Published: 2008-12-01

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop William K. Weigand of Sacramento, Calif. He will be succeeded by Bishop Jaime Soto, who has been coadjutor of the diocese since Oct. 11, 2007, and is one of 26 active Hispanic Catholic bishops in the United States. A coadjutor automatically becomes the head of the diocese upon the retirement or death of its bishop. The announcement was made in Washington Nov. 29 by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States. At the end of a two-hour Mass of thanksgiving Nov. 30, which drew more than 1,200 people to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento, Bishop Weigand handed his crosier to Bishop Soto, 52, whose episcopal motto is "Gozo y Esperanza ("Joy and Hope"). In his homily, Bishop Weigand told the congregation it had been "an honor and a privilege" to be their bishop. He told his successor: "You are inheriting a very special flock." Bishop Soto was scheduled to celebrate two Masses at the cathedral Dec. 7, one in English and one in Spanish, to celebrate his succession.

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