Vatican City, Apr 15, 2020 / 07:25 am (CNA).- Pope Francis Wednesday accepted the resignation of Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli, appointing Brooklyn pastor Fr. Kevin J. Sweeney to be his successor as head of the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey.

Serratelli has been bishop of Paterson since 2004. His resignation of the pastoral governance of the New Jersey diocese was accepted just days before his 76th birthday. Diocesan bishops are required by canon law to submit letters of resignation at age 75.