Corpus Christi will get a new Catholic bishop within the next several years, officials with the Corpus Christi Catholic Diocese said Wednesday. Bishop Edmond Carmody submitted his resignation after celebrating his 75th birthday Monday, as required for a Catholic bishop by canon law, said Marty Wind, Corpus Christi Catholic Diocese spokesman.
"He's simply doing this as church law -- every bishop must do this," Wind said.
"It was not his idea -- he must submit his resignation on his 75th birthday. He has no choice."
Carmody was unavailable for comment late Wednesday.
Wind said Carmody will remain the city's bishop until Pope Benedict XVI selects another bishop for Corpus Christi. He said that may take years.
"Ultimately, Corpus Christi will be getting a new bishop but it is going to take some time," Wind said. "It could be 12 months or a couple of years -- Bishop Carmody is not leaving (his position) tomorrow."
Wind said when the pope announces a new bishop Carmody will remain in the position for another 45 days in order for his successor to adjust. He said upon resignation Carmody will retain the title as bishop, but not as bishop of Corpus Christi.
"He wants to move into a parish in this diocese," Wind said about Carmody's future plans.
Wind said it is not surprising that Carmody wants to stay in the area, considering he has been heavily involved in the community since he was installed on March 17, 2000.
"When he first came here, he spent six months talking to community leaders to determine what the greatest needs of the community were -- needs in education and needs for the homeless," Wind said.
Carmody addressed those problems by focusing on helping the homeless, and students who had dropped out of school. Both causes resulted in the Mother Teresa Shelter for the homeless and the opening of John Paul II High School, respectively, Wind said.
Wind added Carmody also will be remembered as an advocate of diabetes awareness during his tenure as the seventh bishop of Corpus Christi.
Carmody's annual racquetball match benefits the American Diabetes Association, and he participates each year in the annual Dancing Through Downtown Walk, which raises money for diabetes research.
"None of us are comfortable with Bishop Carmody leaving (his post) -- he has been such a strong force in the community and I don't think he feels his work here is done. I also suspect we'll see him playing some more racquetball games even after he retires."
Corpus Christi Diocese bishops
Bishop Paul Nussbaum: 1913-1920
Bishop Emmanuel Ledvina: 1921-1949
Bishop Mariano S. Garriga: 1949-1965
Bishop Thomas J. Drury: 1965-1983
Bishop Rene H. Gracida: 1983-1997
Bishop Roberto O. Gonzalez: 1997-2000
Bishop Edmond Carmody: 2000-present
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(Source: CTC)