Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the early resignation of Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein of Indianapolis due to health issues. The resignation is effective immediately.
The archbishop requested retirement earlier this year.
In 1992 he was appointed Archbishop of Indianapolis by Pope John Paul II.
At age 73, he is two years away from the normal retirement age for bishops. However, he has suffered from numerous health problems in recent years, including a mild stroke, a battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a shoulder replacement surgery and the removal of a benign stomach tumor.
Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, has been named by Pope Benedict as Apostolic Administrator until a new archbishop is appointed.
Bishop Coyne was ordained to assist Archbishop Buechlein as his auxiliary bishop in March.
According to the archdiocese, Buechlein plans to spend his retirement in Southern Indiana at St. Meinrad Archabbey. He intends to return to the community where he made his solemn profession as a Benedictine monk almost 50 years ago.
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