Diocese Of Phoenix's Bishop Offers Resignation To Pope

PHOENIX, AZ —The Diocese of Phoenix revealed earlier this month that Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted had submitted his resignation letter after 18 years as the head clergyman of the institution.

Olmsted submitted his resignation to Pope Francis on Jan. 21, which was Olmsted's 75th birthday, the diocese said.

According to the Code of Canon Law, Can. 401: "A diocesan bishop who has completed the seventy-fifth year of age is requested to present his resignation from office to the Supreme Pontiff, who will make provision after he has examined all the circumstances."

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Phoenix said Friday that Olmsted's resignation has not yet been accepted by the Vatican.

"The pope may accept Bishop's resignation at his leisure, and the Diocese of Phoenix will be in a time of prayer and anticipation while we wait the appointment of our next bishop," a spokesperson for the diocese said in a statement.

"Bishop Olmsted will remain bishop of the diocese until Pope Francis accepts his resignation. The next bishop may or may not be appointed at the same time."

On its website, the diocese invited people to give thanks for Olmsted "and his love of Christ," pray for his peaceful retirement and pray for the next bishop and the future of the diocese.

According to the Arizona Republic, Olmsted was installed as the bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix in 2003, and he is the fourth person to serve in that role. The diocese was established in 1969 by Pope Paul VI.