LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Archbishop Joseph Kurtz is resigning from his office, according to spokeswoman Cecelia Price. However, he isn't leaving just yet.
What You Need To Know
- Archbishop Joseph Kurtz is resigning from his office, which he has helf since 2007
- Kurtz turns 75 this month and has submitted a letter to the pope
- Kurtz will continue to be an archbishop after he leaves the archdiocese
- A spokeswoman said an archbishop will usually stay in the diocese until a successor is appointed by the pope, which may take a number of months
According to the Code of Canon Law, "A diocesan bishop who has completed the seventy-fifth year of age is requested to present his resignation from office to the Supreme Pontiff, who will make provision after he has examined all the circumstances."
Kurtz turns 75 this month and has submitted a letter to the pope, Price said.
Kurtz will continue to be an archbishop after he leaves the archdiocese. Price noted that an archbishop will usually stay in the diocese until a successor is appointed by the pope, which may take a number of months. "We do not have a precise timetable," she said.
In 2007, Kurtz became the fourth archbishop and ninth bishop of the Archdiocese of Louisville. Before arriving in Louisville, he served as the bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee from 1999 to 2007.