Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Richard Henning from the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, as Rhode Island's new bishop. The move comes as current Bishop Thomas Tobin nears the church's mandatory retirement age of 75. Henning and Tobin will work together for a transitional period before Tobin retires.
The Bishop Elect in a statement said; This is a moment of deep reflection and the humble acknowledgement of my dependence upon Divine Providence. As I express gratitude, I entrust myself to the grace of our merciful God and ask the Lord to grant the strength and faith necessary for the ministry that I will exercise in the
Church of Providence.
The Vatican has also accepted the resignation of the Diocese of Providence Auxiliary Bishop, Robert Evans.
(Photo with thanks Roman Catholic Diocese of New York/nyscatholic.org)