Bishop Clark Talks Retirement

Bishop Matthew Clark will officially submit his retirement on July 15th, which is also his 75th birthday.

Then, it's up to Pope Benedict to decide his successor.

"In 1979, 2012 was an imaginary number to me. I can't believe it's here," said Bishop Clark of the Catholic Diocese of Rochester.

33 years ago, this very same day, Bishop Clark arrived in Rochester to take up his new ministry as bishop.

As Bishop Clark's 75th birthday approaches, he will present his resignation from office to the Holy Father. Shortly after, he will receive an acceptance letter, which goes into effect when a successor is named.

"This is not quite like what normal business organizations or other organizations experience. The process has begun, but it is in the hands of others after I submit my resignation," said Bishop Clark.

Bishop Clark says he feels very peaceful as he finishes his career. He's thankful for all the blessings that being bishop has brought him.

"The wonderful association with young people throughout the years. Those that were young when they first came, are still young, but they are not quite the same that they were then. It's been one of the pleasures of these later years is meeting again people I knew when they were in their teens," said Bishop Clark.

There were also trying times.

"One thing to which there is no equal and that was the sex abuse scandal. I shouldn't say was, is, because it's still something we work on every day. I think about. Devastating, horrible, I hope not to be a repeated experience," said Bishop Clark.

Bishop Clark says he's looking forward to the next phase in his life.

"I guess I could best summarize it by saying I wouldn't trade a day of it, but there are a lot of days I wouldn't want to do again," said Bishop Clark.

A display featuring Bishop Clark's life will be at the cathedral throughout the whole summer.

Bishop Clark says the nomination of a successor can take up to a year.