Liverpool Archbishop Patrick Kelly to retire

(Vatican Radio) Archbishop Patrick Kelly of Liverpool has announced his intention to retire as he nears his 75^th birthday later this year.

Archbishop Kelly made the announcement in a letter to the priests of the Liverpool Archdiocese, in accordance with the Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church, and has offered his resignation to Pope Benedict XVI.

In a press statement, the Archdiocese says “Archbishop Kelly continues to make good progress following the slight stroke he suffered early last month and begins his letter by thanking people for their prayers and good wishes. He says: ‘Thank you for all the prayers and messages I have received in the past few weeks; they have been deeply moving and much appreciated’.

The Archbishop continues by saying that he is returning to Liverpool on Tuesday 8 January to continue his convalescence but there is no question of his thereupon resuming pastoral engagements.

Archbishop Kelly concludes by saying: ‘Indeed, although the recovery has gone well, I have decided that I must offer to the Holy Father my resignation as Archbishop of Liverpool. It rests with the Holy Father to respond to the request I have put before him. Until he does so pastoral responsibility for the Archdiocese remains with me’.”