Pope Benedict XVI has appointed Bishop Alexander King Sample as Archbishop of Portland, Oregon, U.S.A. In a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the Holy Father chose the 52 year old American prelate to succeed Archbishop John Vlazny whose resignation was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI upon reaching the age limit.
Archbishop-designate Sample served as Bishop of Marquette, Michigan and currently serves on the Subcommittees on Native American Catholics and on the Catechism for the U.S. Bishops Conference. He is also vice-postulator for the cause of canonization of Venerable Frederic Baraga, first bishop of the Diocese of Marquette.
The Archdiocese of Portland, which is the second oldest diocese in the United States, is expected to hold a press conference today to introduce the newly appointed Archbishop.
