The Catholic Diocese of Cleveland announcing this morning that Bishop Richard Lennon has been granted early retirement status from Pope Francis from the Vatican. Lennon has served as Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland for the past 11 and a half years. 

In a press conference late Wednesday morning, Bishop Lennon announced that he had recently been diagnosed with vascular dimentia. He stated that due to the progressive nature of the disease, he would be unable to continue his work as Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland. 

The mandatory retirement age for bishops in the U.S. is 75. Bishop Lennon is 69, but his health has been failing over the past few years. He reportedly sent a letter to Pope Francis back in November to address the issue and the Pope has granted him early retirement.

The Pope has appointed Bishop Daniel Edward Thomas of Toledo as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Cleveland, that covers Medina, Summit, and Wayne Counties. The search for a permanent replacement is underway.