January 21, 2022, is Bishop Olmsted’s 75th birthday. According to the Canon Law of the Church, he is now requested to submit his resignation to the Holy Father. 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. (Can. 401)
Upon turning 75, Bishop Olmsted will send a letter to Pope Francis asking for permission to retire, having reached the “age limit” for bishops. The pope may accept Bishop’s resignation at his leisure, and the Diocese of Phoenix will be in a time of prayer and anticipation while we wait the appointment of our next bishop. Bishop Olmsted will remain bishop of the diocese until Pope Francis accepts his resignation. The next bishop may or may not be appointed at the same time.
We invite you to join us in prayer during this time of transition:
in thanksgiving for Bishop Olmsted and his love of Christ
for Bishop Olmsted’s peaceful retirement
for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as Pope Francis and the Congregation for Bishops discern our next bishop
for our next bishop and the future of the Diocese of Phoenix
Let us pray…
Heavenly Father, eternal Shepherd of the faithful, who tend your flock in countless ways and watch over us in love, we come to you with hearts filled with gratitude for providing us with a true shepherd after Christ’s own heart, our beloved Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted. We give thanks for the gift of his episcopal ministry, for his wise leadership, for his integrity and faithfulness, for his steadfast care and solicitude and for all the spiritual blessings that we and so many others have received through our Bishop’s generous self-giving service throughout these 18 years. We ask that you continue to bless him as he has generously blessed us with his love and service. As we await Your will for the future of our Diocese, we renew our faith and trust in your loving Providence, confident that You will once again bless us with a shepherd who will inspire us to commit ourselves to living and bearing witness to the Gospel. Draw us ever closer to you, O Lord, that your light may shine and radiate from us as a beacon of faith, hope and love for the world. Together, may we always glorify you and open our hearts to embrace your holy will. We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.