Bober Thanks Priests and Calls for Prayers for New Archbishop

Kosice, 2 April (TASR) - Kosice Metropolitan Archbishop and Conference of Bishops of Slovakia (KBS) chairman Bernard Bober thanked priests for their service and care of parishes at a Holy Mass at St. Elizabeth's Cathedral in Kosice on Thursday. "After 33 years of my episcopal ministry, the time has come for my service to come to an end in this see as well," he said, calling for prayers for the new archbishop. Bober, approaching his 75th birthday, has offered his resignation from the office of diocesan bishop to the Pope in accordance with canon law, although the latter hasn't yet decided on the next steps. Bober told reporters this week that the process of finding his successor has already begun. He believes that the change in leadership will take place this year. "I'm not worried about the future of the archdiocese, because I know that its Supreme Shepherd will never abandon it, and He'll always use specific people to build it up and protect it," said Bober during the Mass on Holy Thursday. According to canon law, every diocesan bishop must submit his resignation to the Supreme Pontiff upon reaching the age of 75. Bober celebrated his 75th birthday last November. According to KBS spokesperson Katarina Jancisinova, it remains unclear when the change might take place. "The decision comes from the Holy Father via the Apostolic Nunciature in Slovakia," she told TASR, adding that the decision on who will succeed Bober also rests with the Pope. am/df