Bishop Sample leaving the U.P.
The Upper Peninsula is preparing to say goodbye to its Bishop. Bishop Alexander Sample has just about two months remaining at the Catholic Diocese of Marquette before he leaves to take over the Archdiocese of Portland.
The Vatican announced that Pope Benedict XVI appointed Sample Archbishop of Portland in Oregon on Tuesday.
The news came as a big surprise for Bishop Sample, but he is very much looking forward to his new role in the Catholic Church. However, he says he will have a hard time saying goodbye to the U.P.
Sample’s last mass in the U.P. will be the Easter Vigil mass on March 30. He will take possession of the Archdiocese of Portland on April 2, 2012.
It could take anywhere between nine months to a year for a new Bishop to be appointed to the Diocese of Marquette.