WASHINGTON (October 13, 2003) — Pope John Paul II has accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert J. Rose of Grand Rapids. The Coadjutor Bishop, Most Reverend Kevin M. Britt, will succeed as Ordinary of the diocese.

Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, made the announcement.

Kevin M. Britt was born in Detroit, Nov. 19, 1944. He studied at Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, St. John's Provincial Seminary, Plymouth, MI, and the University of Detroit. He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit on June 28, 1970.

Bishop Britt was named titular bishop of Esco and auxiliary bishop of Detroit Nov. 23, 1993. He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Grand Rapids Dec. 10, 2002, and installed Feb. 12, 2003.

Robert J. Rose was born in Grand Rapids, Feb. 28, 1930. He studied at the Seminaire de Philosophie in Montreal, the University of Michigan, and the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Grand Rapids on Dec. 21, 1955.

Bishop Rose was named Bishop of Gaylord, MI, Oct. 9, 1981. He was appointed Bishop of Grand Rapids July 11, 1989, and was installed Aug. 30, 1989.

Established May 19, 1882, the Diocese of Grand Rapids comprises 11 counties of the Lower Peninsula of the State of Michigan. Its Catholic population is 162,670 in a total population of 1,283,717.

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