PHOENIX (AP) Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, who has overseen the Phoenix Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church since 2003, submitted a request to retire to Pope Francis upon reaching his 75th birthday, the age limit for bishops, church officials said Friday.
Bishop Thomas Olmsted’s time as leader of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix is likely nearing an end. Jan. 21 is the theologian and lawyer’s 75th birthday.Church law calls 75 the retirement age for bishops. Olmsted, who declined to be interviewed, is sending a resignation letter to Pope Francis.