Bishop William H. Bullock News & Features: • Visiting Brazil: Mundelein seminarians serve in Global Fellows Program • Award winners: Teachers in Diocese of Madison honored with fellowship • Mideast conflict: Pope calls for prayers • White House office head Jim Towey: Mother Teresa changed his life • Special retreat section Columns: • Spirituality for today by Fr. John Catoir -- Scandal in the assembly: Striving to comprehend it • The Human Side by Fr. Eugene Hemrick -- Needed lessons for the church: Can any good come of this? • Looking Around by Fr. William J. Byron -- Damaged church: All of us are responsible for restitution and reparation • Question Corner by Fr. John Dietzen -- Non-Christians: Will they be granted everlasting life? • The Pope Speaks by Pope John Paul II -- Joy and peace of Easter: Universe is filled with spiritual joy • Your Family by Monica and Bill Dodds -- When your child has special needs: It affects the whole family • Subscribe to print edition

Bishop Bullock at 75:

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- "I have really loved being Bishop of Madison," said Bishop William H. Bullock in an interview last week.

The bishop reflected on his years as a priest and bishop as he prepares to celebrate his 75th birthday this Saturday, April 13.

He also discussed the process for naming his successor as well as his plans for retirement.

"I must say that as I come to the end of my novena of years, I feel a sense of satisfaction about what the priests, people, and myself have been able to do together." — Bishop William H. Bullock

Naming a successor

Just to clarify, on his birthday Bullock will be sending a letter to Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, the current apostolic nuncio in the United States. The nuncio will forward the letter to Pope John Paul II. This then begins the process of selecting a successor to Bullock.

"When the successor is named, then the person is announced," explained Bullock.

Until then, Bullock would remain as head of the Madison Diocese. In some dioceses, bishops have served beyond the 75-year retirement age. In Wisconsin, for example, Bishop John Paul in La Crosse was 77 when his successor, Bishop Raymond Burke, was named.

Bullock noted that it usually takes less time if an auxiliary bishop or another ordinary (head of a diocese) is appointed. The process takes longer if a priest is elevated to the position.

It is not known how long the process will take. It could be a few months or even longer.

Years in Madison

"I must say that as I come to the end of my novena of years, I feel a sense of satisfaction about what the priests, people, and myself have been able to do together," said Bullock reflecting on his nine years as bishop of Madison.

"I am so filled with joy and expectation with the new Catholic Multicultural Center. I think it's got so many possibilities to help the poor, to help the people we feed and clothe, to get legal advice for people. I'm really pleased with that."   Full Story ...