Like many Catholics in the Diocese of Wilmington, John Watson has been praying for Bishop Michael Saltarelli the last few days.While worshipping at St. Ann's Church in Wilmington this weekend, Watson heard Msgr. J. Thomas Cini call for prayers.
It's because Saltarelli, who stepped down from his 12-year leadership of the diocese in September 2008, is in Christiana Hospital.
On Monday, Saltarelli's successor, Bishop Francis Malooly, sent an e-mail to parishes saying that the 76-year-old retired bishop is resting comfortably in hospice care.
It's what many people had feared after learning that Saltarelli was hospitalized for nine days in August 2008.
A private man, he kept the details to himself, saying that he felt fine, though friends feared that he was putting a good face on a difficult illness.
After his release, his health seemed to rise and fall, and sometimes he would use a cane, sometimes not. Catholics took quiet note, as he continued to lead services at parishes within Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
He was well enough to be a part of the August installation of Bishop John O. Barres as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Allentown.
He said that day was a happy one for the Catholic church, though a sad loss for the Diocese of Wilmington, where Barres had served since his 1989 ordination.
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