The Vatican has accepted the resignation of Bishop Frederick Campbell as leader of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus and appointed Bishop Robert Brennan as the 12th bishop of Columbus.
Bishop Brennan comes to Columbus after serving as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York. He was appointed as auxiliary bishop in 2012.
As required by the Church's Code of Canon Law, bishops are requested to submit their resignation to the pope when they are about to turn 75 years old. Bishop Campbell submitted his letter of resignation last year.
"I thank all the clergy and faithful that I have had the pleasure to lead during my tenure here in Columbus," Bishop Campbell said in a press release from the Diocese. "I am sure the people of our Diocese will welcome Bishop Brennan to Central Ohio and extend to him all of the courtesies and prayerful support I have enjoyed. Each bishop brings his own specific talents and gifts to their ministry, and I have every confidence that Bishop Brennan will use his special gifts to serve as a good and faithful shepherd of our Diocese. I ask all to pray for Bishop Brennan as he begins this new journey."
"It makes me incredibly happy to walk this journey with you, to lead the Church of Columbus, to serve as your Pastor," Bishop Brennan said in a press release. "I look forward to walking the journey with you as your pastor sharing the 'Joy of the Gospel' and the 'Splendor of Truth.' And if we can laugh, and sing, and raise our voices in praise of God along the way, then all the better. I am already praying fervently for the Church of Columbus every day. May I humbly ask your prayers for me."
A ceremony to establish Bishop Brennan as Bishop of Columbus will be on Friday, March 29 at St. Joseph Cathedral. In the meantime, Bishop Campbell will serve as apostolic administrator of the Diocese until the official transfer of authority to Bishop Brennan.