Pope accepts resignation of bishop of Phoenix-based Byzantine eparchy

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop John S. Pazak of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy, which is based in Phoenix.

On Aug. 13, Bishop Pazak turned 75, the age at which canon law requires bishops to turn in their resignation to the pope.

The pope appointed Latin-rite Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted of Phoenix as apostolic administrator of the eparchy.

The changes were announced in Washington Aug. 23 by Msgr. Seamus Horgan, charge d’ affaires at the apostolic nunciature in the temporary absence of Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The eparchy has 19 parishes and one mission over the 13 western states in its territory: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.