Early this morning, the Diocese of Raleigh was informed that Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, who has led the Raleigh Diocese for the past 10 years, has been appointed by Pope Francis to serve as the Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia.
Today at 10:00 a.m., Bishop Burbidge will lead a press conference in the Diocese of Arlington in which he will be introduced as the Bishop of that Diocese, succeeding the current Bishop, Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde.
To view the press conference live at 10:00 a.m., go here: http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/
Bishop Burbidge will be officially installed as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington on December 6 of this year. Until that date, he will serve as the Diocesan Administrator for the Diocese of Raleigh. Upon his installation, the College of Consultors will elect an Administrator who will serve until a new bishop is installed.
Bishop Burbidge responded to this news with an initial statement:
Over the past 10 years, I have had the profound pleasure of serving the great people of the Diocese of Raleigh. From the moment I stepped foot in North Carolina, I was welcomed with warmth and love that I have never forgotten. I especially thank my brother priests for their consistent fraternal support, as well as for the help provided by the deacons, consecrated religious, and the lay faithful who have been so kind to me. It is with great certainty that while I will leave the Diocese of Raleigh later this year, the next Bishop will be welcomed with the same joy and love that I encountered. May Our Lord continue to bless the wonderful and holy people of the Diocese of Raleigh.
Information about the Diocese of Arlington can be found here:http://www.arlingtondiocese.org/bishop/did_you_know.aspx