Archbishops and bishops

Several St. Louisans spent a day last week lobbying at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City.

Auxiliary Bishop Edward Rice, along with other St. Louis members of the Missouri Catholic Conference's Public Policy Committee met with legislators Feb. 20 for the group's annual Lobby Day. Joining Bishop Rice were Diane Daly, John Schwob, Deborah Meister and Pat Dougherty, along with other committee members from other parts of the state.

Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Morgan Casey, a St. Louis priest who has served as vicar of the Pando region of Bolivia.

Bishop Casey, 77, earlier reached the mandatory age limit where he was required to submit his resignation. In August, he celebrated his 50th anniversary in the priesthood at a Mass at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Brentwood, followed by a reception at the Cardinal Rigali Center in Shrewsbury.

The smile is ever-present and his eyes always sparkle.

Jimmy Munford, 95, demonstrates a zest for life.

In recent years Munford has received various honors for nearly 45 years of service at the archbishop's residence in the Central West End of St. Louis.

WASHINGTON -- Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop Joseph A. Galante of Camden, N.J., and has named Auxiliary Bishop Dennis J. Sullivan of New York to succeed him.

The changes were announced in Washington Jan. 8 by Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, papal nuncio to the U.S.

Bishop Galante, 74, has headed the Camden Diocese since 2004. He previously served as auxiliary bishop of San Antonio, bishop of Beaumont, Texas, and coadjutor bishop of Dallas.

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI's call for a new evangelization will guide the work of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for the next four years under a strategic plan adopted during the bishops' annual fall general assembly in Baltimore.

Operating under the theme "Journey with Christ: Faith/Worship/Witness," the plan offers a "road map" for the conference to shape programs and activities to strengthen the faith of Catholics and position them to be active witnesses to their faith in all aspects of life.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bishop Robert W. Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph was convicted Sept. 6 of one count of failing to report suspected child abuse and acquitted on another count in a brief bench trial.

Jackson County Circuit Judge John M. Torrence issued the verdict and quickly set and suspended a sentence of two years' probation. The charges carried a possible maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

In a courtroom statement following the verdict, Bishop Finn said he truly regretted and was sorry for the hurt the events caused.