Des Moines IA Catholic Bishop Richard Pates announces retirement

Bishop Richard Pates, the leader of Catholic Diocese of Des Moines, is retiring and returning to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, according to a column he wrote in The Catholic Mirror.

Pates turned 75 on Feb. 12, the age bishops must submit their resignation to the pope as part of Canon Law. In his column, Pates said he sent Pope Francis his resignation. He served as the ninth bishop of Des Moines.

"As I prepare to take leave, my heart is full of joy and gratitude," Pates wrote in the column. "The past 10 years in the Des Moines diocese have flown by."

Pates wrote that it takes four months or longer to find a new bishop.

He said he still plans to visit Des Moines.

Des Moines Register