Philadelphia to Raleigh

The Holy Father has accepted the retirement of the Most Reverend Francis Joseph Gossman as Bishop of Raleigh.

He has named as the new Bishop of Raleigh, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, 48, up to now Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. Bishop Burbidge was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1984 and has a Doctorate degree in Education. Prior to his being named auxiliary bishop in 2002, he served in a number of educational posts, including Rector of St. Charles Seminary.

The Holy Father has named Msgr. Daniel Edward Thomas, 46, as an Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia. Bishop-elect Thomas was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese in 1985, serving in a parish and the Catholic Youth Organization before being sent to Rome for further studies. He received a License in Theology in 1989 from the Pontifical Gregorian University and then worked at the Congregation for Bishops from 1990 to 2005 while providing Spiritual Direction at the Pontifical North American College. For the past year he has been Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Strafford, Pennsylvania.