Vatican allows injured bishop of Gallup Pelotte to resign

Finally:

"The Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Gallup, U.S.A. presented by Bishop Donald E. Pelotte S.S.S., in accordance with canon 401 para. 2 of the Code of Canon Law." (VIS)

The wierd backstory:

Last July, Bishop Pelotte, the first American Indian bishop ever appointed, suffered from a fall at his home in Gallup, New Mexico. The fall caused head injury and heavy bruising across his face, chest, both arms, knuckles, legs, and feet.

While doctors and news agencies speculated that the injuries were more consistent with an assault than a fall down a staircase, the bishop insisted that he was not attacked by anyone.

A few months later, the bishop made the news again when he called the police to report four "gentle little people, about 3 to 4 feet tall, and wearing Halloween masks" who refused to leave his home. (CNA)

Local coverage:

Pelotte returned to Gallup Sept. 21 after receiving treatment in Arizona, Texas and Florida. He left Gallup again on Dec. 13 for further medical treatment, diocese officials have said. They have declined to say where Pelotte is recovering.

The Vatican granted Pelotte a one-year medical leave and the pope appointed Diocese of Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Gallup.

Olmsted will run the Diocese of Gallup until Pelotte's successor is appointed and installed.

The diocese encompasses all of San Juan and McKinley counties in New Mexico and most of northeastern Arizona. (AP)

My previous posts on this story as it was developing here. It's a strange one, for sure.

I'm glad to see the Vatican has officially allowed him to resign so the diocese can move on.

update: Diogenes bemoans the lack of (elsewhere-touted) "transparency" in all this.