MILWAUKEE (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Sklba of Milwaukee, who turned 75 Sept. 11.
The resignation was announced at the Vatican Oct. 18. Under canon law, bishops must submit their resignation at age 75.

Bishop Sklba, who also is vicar general, has been a Milwaukee auxiliary since 1979. He became one of the youngest bishops in the United States when he was ordained a bishop by now-retired Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland of Milwaukee.

Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, installed in January as Milwaukee’s archbishop, said that while he had ministered with Bishop Sklba for a short time, he had come to appreciate “his love of the church, especially the church of southeastern Wisconsin.”

“As a seminarian, parish priest, student, scholar, rector and bishop, Bishop Sklba has combined an extraordinary pastoral approach with the keen sense of a teacher,” the archbishop said in a statement. “His international reputation as a Scripture scholar and prominent expert on ecumenical and interreligious relationships needs no further acclaim from me.”

Archbishop Listecki said the bishop will continue to serve the archdiocese through the end of 2010. After that, he plans to help out in parishes on weekends and preside at confirmations in 2011 as he can. Bishop Sklba also is involved in several writing projects.