Vermont Diocese Prepares for Bishop’s Retirement

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(Host) Vermont Bishop Kenneth Angell may be entering his last year as head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington. A year from now, he will be required to tender his resignation.

As VPR’s Steve Zind reports, Vermont Catholics may learn who their next bishop is even before Angell steps down.

(Zind) Angell celebrated his seventy-fourth birthday this week while vacationing with his sister’s family in Stowe. When he turns 75, he’ll have to submit his letter of resignation to the Vatican. Angell has led the Burlington diocese since 1992.

In an interview with VPR last year Angell expressed mixed feelings about retiring.

(Angell) “You know retirement kind of scares me. I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know what I’d do.”

(Zind) But Angell says his age has made it difficult to shoulder the responsibilities of his office and he would like the Vatican to appoint a coadjutor to help him. Unlike an auxiliary bishop, a coadjutor serves as a successor – and would take Angell’s place once he steps down.

(Angell) “It would be an opportunity for whoever comes in to be able to learn the diocese. To be able to serve right away.”

(Zind) For the Vatican to appoint a coadjutor, Angell would first have to request one. The diocese will won’t say if he’s yet asked the Pope to make the appointment. The last time a coadjutor was appointed to the Burlington diocese was over a century ago.

For Vermont Public Radio, I’m Steve Zind.

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