by Catholic News Service
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WASHINGTON -- Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Daniel F. Walsh of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Coadjutor Bishop Robert F. Vasa automatically succeeds him as head of the diocese.
The changes were announced June 30 in Washington by Msgr. Jean-Francois Lantheaume, charge d' affairs at the apostolic nunciature.
Bishop Walsh has been a bishop since 1981 and was appointed to head the Santa Rosa Diocese in 2000. He is 73 years old, two years younger than the age at which bishops are required to turn their resignation in to the pope.
Bishop Walsh had asked for the assistance of a coadjutor, and Bishop Vasa, 60, was appointed in January and took up residence in the Santa Rosa Diocese in March. He was welcomed to the diocese with a Mass and reception a few days after his arrival.
