Catholic News Service
(From the issue of 9/18/03)

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The resignation of Bishop Walter F. Sullivan of Richmond was accepted by Pope John Paul II, who also named Cardinal William H. Keeler of Baltimore as apostolic administrator of the diocese.

Bishop Sullivan turned 75, the usual retirement age for bishops, on June 10. He had headed the Richmond Diocese since 1974 and served as an auxiliary bishop there for four years before that.

The changes were announced Sept. 16 in Washington by Msgr. Leopoldo Girelli, charge d'affaires at the apostolic nunciature.

At a news conference in Richmond that day, Bishop Sullivan said he viewed retirement as "an opportunity to finally start acting my age," with a "slower pace" and a "gradual stepping back over time." He said he would continue to keep an office at diocesan headquarters, however, and would "assist the cardinal as needs arise."

"On behalf of our diocesan family, I offer Bishop Walter F. Sullivan the assurance of our faith-filled prayers as he relinquishes the pastoral care of the Diocesan Church of Richmond and begins a new phase in his episcopal life as the Bishop Emeritus of that historic see," said Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde.

"This Diocese of Arlington was formed from the Richmond Diocese and for a short period, prior to Bishop Thomas Welsh’s installation, Bishop Sullivan exercised pastoral care over this portion of God’s Church. May he be given many more years of good health as he continues to serve the Lord and His people in new ways," Bishop Loverde said.

" I also offer to Our Metropolitan Archbishop, His Eminence William Cardinal Keeler, the support of our prayers as he assumes new responsibilities as the Apostolic Administrator of Richmond."

Cardinal Keeler, who was also at the news conference, thanked Bishop Sullivan "for his willingness to be of continued service to God's people here" and asked for prayers from Catholics of the diocese "as together we chart our course for the immediate future."

The Baltimore leader said he hoped his role as apostolic administrator would be brief "as we await the appointment of a new bishop."

"I hope that happens as soon as possible," the cardinal said, adding that it is always best for a diocese to function by its normal routine with a bishop.

During the time of transition, Cardinal Keeler said that two diocesan bodies -- the Diocesan Pastoral Council and Presbyteral Council -- would cease to exist. Both bodies may resume their duties upon the appointment of a new bishop if he makes that request.

"We look to the continued proclamation of the word of God, the vitality of the sacramental life of the church, concern for the dignity of every human being, with a special emphasis on what Jesus taught about who is our neighbor," the cardinal said. "In keeping with what Bishop Sullivan has taught so well and so vigorously, we pray the Lord to bless our efforts on behalf of the poor and the vulnerable and for works of justice and peace."

Bishop Sullivan stepped down in August after 12 years as bishop-president of Pax Christi USA, the U.S. branch of the Catholic peace movement. Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala of Los Angeles succeeded him.

Last year, the bishop endorsed a proposal that his diocese be split in two to better serve a growing Catholic population and the state's diverse geography.

About half of the diocese's 213,000 Catholics live in the diocese's eastern vicariate, which takes in the areas of Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach and Norfolk and Virginia's Eastern Shore. At its widest point the southern part of the diocese stretches 535 miles from east to west.

Bishop Sullivan said at the time that, if a separation did come about, in a division of assets Richmond would need to retain two-thirds because of its ministry to the extensive rural -- and less affluent -- southern and southwestern portions of the state.

The Diocese of Richmond is one of the oldest in the United States, established in 1820 from part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Bishop Sullivan, the diocese's 11th bishop, was born in Washington on June 10, 1928. He studied at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore and The Catholic University of America in Washington, where he earned a degree in canon law.

Ordained a priest of the Richmond Diocese on May 9, 1953, he was named auxiliary bishop of Richmond on Oct. 15, 1970, and bishop of Richmond on May 28, 1974.

Bishop Sullivan has served on the boards of the Christian Children's Fund, based in Richmond; the Churches' Center for Theology and Public Policy, a national ecumenical research center in Washington; the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy; and the Catholic Committee of Appalachia.

He also has been a board member of the National Catholic Partnership on Disabilities and served on the Administrative Committee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Bishop Sullivan said at the press conference that he had "three important things on my retirement agenda: I want to learn how to use a computer, learn to say Mass in Spanish and learn how to cook."