Citing his ongoing health challenges, Cleveland Bishop Richard Lennon requested -- and was granted -- early retirement status by Pope Francis. Bishop Lennon?s retirement, which was announced first in Washington, D.C. by Papal Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre, was effective Dec. 28.
The pope named Toledo Bishop Daniel Edward Thomas as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Cleveland. A Philadelphia native, Bishop Thomas, 57, was named Toledo bishop in 2014. (Read more about Bishop Thomas HERE.)
He will administer the affairs of the Cleveland diocese, in addition to serving as bishop of Toledo, until the pope names a new bishop for the Cleveland diocese. (Read the full press release HERE.) There are nearly 700,000 Catholics in the Cleveland diocese.
?I am humbled to have been asked by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, to shepherd the flock of Northeast Ohio during this time of transition, until he names a new bishop for Cleveland,? Bishop Thomas said at a Dec. 28 press conference that was streamed live from diocesan offices in downtown Cleveland. ?What a joy to offer Christmas greetings to everyone in the rural, suburban and urban areas of the eight counties of Northeast Ohio that make up the Diocese of Cleveland,? he said. ?Please know how happy I am to greet you.? (Read Bishop Thomas? full remarks HERE.)
In prepared remarks, Bishop Lennon, 69, said he came to the realization ?that my health has declined to such an extent that I should resign as diocesan bishop.?
