Local Catholics React to Bishop Clark's Retirement

Bishop Matthew Clark knew about this day for the past two weeks, but his retirement didn't go into effect until Friday.

The news spread quickly. Bishop Clark is well respected and even beloved by many.

"We're from the Henrietta parishes and through the years Bishop Clark has been out there many times celebrating mass with us and he's the perfect guy for the job," said Paul Hoak.

"He was all encompassing. I think he was just the personal touch. He was the kind of person that you felt very close to," said Delphine Hoak.

"Words cannot express my gratitude to the people of this diocese who I love very much," said Bishop Clark.

Pope Benedict appointed the Bishop of Syracuse, Robert Cunningham, as Apostolic Administrator of the Rochester Diocese. He will stay in that position until a new bishop is named.

"Anyone who is an administrator of the diocese is really a caretaker. He takes the diocese from where it is, covers it, carries out the work of the church to the best of his ability until his successor is named," said Bishop Cunningham.

Appointing an administrator is not a common way to replace a catholic bishop.

"The Holy See, in this case, chose the Apostolic Administrator option. They did that without explanation to me, nor were they required to make one, so I really don't know precisely why that option was chosen," said Bishop Clark.

As for Bishop Clark's future, he says don't worry. He will be around.

"Help this beautiful local church in anyway that I can. Obviously until we knew that date, I couldn't make a lot of commitments ahead, this is not by way of advertisement, but if you need me, I'm there," said Bishop Clark.

"I think it's terrific news for Bishop Clark. He served us so well, so it's terrific to wish him well as he moves on into the next journey in his life," said John Curtis.