The resignation of Catholic Bishop Manuel Moreno, 72, of Tucson, Arizona, in the wake of a sex abuse-related scandal, was announced by the Vatican in March

Christian Century, April 5, 2003

* The resignation of Catholic Bishop Manuel Moreno, 72, of Tucson, Arizona, in the wake of a sex abuse-related scandal, was announced by the Vatican in March. Leader of the Tucson diocese since 1982, Moreno has been accused of mishandling a local scandal and witholding from authorities information regarding priests accused of pedophilia.

The New York Times reported that Moreno told parishioners March 7 that he has prostate cancer and is in the early stages of Parkinson's disease. The diocese is also on the verge of bankruptcy because of large financial settlements with victims of sexual abuse, the Times said. Bishop Gerald F. Kieanas, assistant to Moreno since 2001, was named to succeed him.