Pope Francis Accepts Resignation of Bishop John Pazak of the Byzantine Eparchy of Holy Protection of Mary; Appoints Bishop Thomas Olmsted as Apostolic Administrator

WASHINGTON—Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop John Pazak, C.Ss.R, 75, from the pastoral governance of the Byzantine Eparchy of Holy Protection of Mary, and has appointed Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix as Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Eparchy.  

The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington, D.C. on August 23, 2021, by Msgr. Séamus Horgan, chargé d’ affaires, a.i. of the Apostolic Nunciature in the temporary absence of Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

The Byzantine Eparchy of Holy Protection of Mary embraces all Catholics of the Byzantine-Ruthenian Church in the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Alaska, and Hawaii.

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