SACRAMENTO, California, NOV. 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Bishop William Weigand of Sacramento, leaving in his place the coadjutor, Bishop Jaime Soto.
Bishop Weigand, 71, though four years younger than the retirement age required of bishops by canon law, has long suffered from liver disease. He stepped down today, simultaneously marking 15 years of service as the bishop of the diocese.
Bishop Soto, 51, has served as Sacramento’s coadjutor since October 2007. He is one of 27 active Hispanic bishops in the United States.
The Diocese of Sacramento has just over a half million Catholics, served by 171 priests, 132 permanent deacons, and 212 religious. The diocese has 46 men studying for the priesthood.
