WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Michael R. Cote, 75, of Norwich, Connecticut, and appointed Archbishop Christopher J. Coyne of Hartford, Connecticut, as apostolic administrator of the diocese.
The resignation and appointment were publicized in Washington Sept. 3 by Msgr. John Paul Pedera, chargé d’affaires of the apostolic nunciature, in the temporary absence of Christophe Cardinal Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
Bishop Cote, who has reached the age at which canon law requires bishops to submit their resignation to the pope, has headed the Norwich Diocese since St. John Paul II appointed him the fifth bishop of the diocese March 11, 2003. He was installed May 14, 2003.
He previously served as auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Portland in his home state of Maine from 1995 to 2003.
“I am grateful to our Holy Father for this opportunity to steward our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Norwich while we await the appointment of their next bishop,” Archbishop Coyne said in a statement. “I also wish to convey my very best wishes in retirement for Bishop Cote, who lovingly shepherded the faithful of Norwich for 21 years.”
In a Sept. 3 letter to the faithful of the diocese, Bishop Cote said it has been “a profound honor and joy” to serve as their bishop for over two decades. “Leading the Diocese of Norwich, walking with you in faith, and ministering alongside so many dedicated clergy, ministry directors, and parishioners has been a true blessing in my life, one that I will always hold dear,” he said.
“Though I will no longer be at the helm of the diocese, I pledge my full support and assistance to Archbishop Coyne during this period of transition,” he continued. “I also commit to keeping all of you in my prayers, as well as praying for whoever may be appointed as my successor. The future of our diocese is in God’s hands, and we can trust in His providence.”
He asked that the diocesan family “unite in prayer for Archbishop Coyne and for the one who will eventually serve as our next Bishop of Norwich. May the Holy Spirit guide them, and may our diocese continue to shine as a beacon of faith, hope, and love in the world.”
Bishop Cote added, “Please know that I will be praying for each of you, and I humbly ask that you hold me in your prayers as well.”
The Diocese of Norwich covers 1,978 square miles and has a Catholic population of 228,520 out of a total population of 669,430.