LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Archbishop Joseph Kurtz is submitting his resignation this month, according to the Archdiocese of Louisville. Chief Communications Officer Cecelia Price confirmed the announcement Wednesday.
Price said Kurtz isn't leaving the Archdiocese immediately but must submit his resignation on his 75th birthday following Canon 401 in the Code of Canon Law.
"I've always looked forward to a birthday and my 75th is canonically a very important day for us," Kurtz said in a press conference Wednesday.
Kurtz will stay in the diocese until his successor is appointed, which could take anywhere from a few weeks or months. When is his successor is announced, his resignation will be officially accepted. He said he hopes the next leader will be able to lead the church "in a way that would be pleasing to Christ."
Kurtz has been the Archbishop in Louisville since 2007 when he was appointed by former Pope Benedict XVI. He has been an archbishop for 14 years.
"It's been a joy to serve here. Of course, I hope I'll continue to serve well," he said.
In July 2019, the archbishop announced that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer. He underwent a successful procedure in November and remains cancer-free today. He stressed that his resignation has nothing to do with his health.
While Kurtz won't have the official archbishop title, he said he looks forward to serving as a bishop and priest for the 110 parishes in the archdiocese.
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