Pope Benedict XVI oversaw changes to the U.S. episcopate on Dec. 1,
including resignations in New Jersey and Missouri and two auxiliary
bishops' appointments.
Having reached the age of 75, Bishop John M. Smith of Trenton, N.J.
will pass on his position to the Bishop David M. O'Connell, who was
appointed as a coadjutor.
Bishop O'Connell previously served as the President of the Catholic
University of America in Washington, D.C.
During his time there, he
strongly advocated the implementation of Pope John Paul II's guidelines
for Catholic education in the Apostolic Constitution “Ex Corde
Ecclesiae.”
Pope Benedict also accepted the resignation of St. Louis' Auxiliary
Bishop Robert J. Hermann, who had submitted his resignation at age 75,
according to Vatican protocol.
The outgoing auxiliary bishop expressed gratitude for the eight years
he had been able to serve the St. Louis Archdiocese, saying he hoped to
“re-invest in the priestly ministry of pastoral care for souls” during
his retirement.
Monsignor Edward M. Rice, currently among the clergy of the St. Louis
archdiocese, will succeed the outgoing Bishop Hermann.
He currently
serves as the archdiocese's director of vocations to the priesthood.
The
St. Louis native will be consecrated as a bishop on January 13, 2011.
SIC: CNA/USA
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