Bishop Patrick McGrath is retiring after 20 years in the position with the Diocese of San Jose.
Pope Francis accepted the request of McGrath to retire, the diocese announced Wednesday. All bishops must submit a request for retirement to the Vatican as they approach their 75th birthday and McGrath turns 74 in June.
McGrath became just the second bishop of San Jose in 1999 upon the retirement of founding Bishop Pierre DuMaine.
Oscar Cantu, bishop of Las Cruces in New Mexico, was appointed last year as coadjutor bishop of San Jose and has spent the past 10 months becoming familiar with the San Jose diocese.
"The years have flown by," McGrath said in a news release. "I thank everyone for their encouragement and their support, for instilling in me the joy of serving the Lord and His people, and for imparting to me the spirit of gratitude that should always distinguish our lives."
