New York Bishop Dennis Sullivan To Succeed Camden Bishop Joseph Galante
By Al Novack
CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has named New York Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Sullivan to replace Bishop Joseph Galante as head of the Catholic Church in Camden.
Bishop Joseph Galante is stepping down due to health issues. The 74-year-old announced two years ago that he would be undergoing dialysis treatments for chronic kidney disease. Bishop Galante would have retired in July, when he turns 75, in accordance with church law.
Church analyst Rocco Palmo, who writes the blog Whispers in the Loggia, says the Pope was made aware of Bishop Galante's health problems and retirement request a year ago.
"It took a year, you know this is not something that happens overnight in Rome. Today he's reached his resolution with the choice of his successor."
And Palmo says Bishop Galante's retirement is no surprise. "Bishop Galante in July would have reached the retirement age of 75, at which age every Catholic Bishop around the world has to submit their resignation to the Pope. But for the last 15 months, Bishop Galante has been on dialysis treatment and he's had a series of health problems."
Bishop Dennis Sullivan, 67, currently serves as the vicar general of the New York Archdiocese.
