Konstant asks Rome for successor

BY LUKE COPPEN ROME is searching for a successor to one of England's most senior bishops, it was announced this week.
Bishop David Konstant of Leeds told priests on Tuesday that he had asked the Pope to appoint a coadjutor bishop to the diocese with the right of succession.
Bishop Konstant, 71, took the step following a heart attack in May. Although he has since returned to work, the bishop said he needed help to cope with the demands of running the diocese.
In a letter to the Leeds clergy, Bishop Konstant said that the Pope had agreed to his request for an assistant bishop.
"I have been aware that while I am able to continue my work in the diocese, I do need some help. Having discussed this recently with the nuncio, we agreed that I should ask the Holy Father to appoint a coadjutor bishop with right of succession," said the letter, dated November 12.
Bishop Konstant continued: "When I was in Rome, a couple of weeks ago, I spoke to the cardinal prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and on his advice I wrote to the Holy Father making the formal request. I have just been informed that he has graciously agreed to my request."
Noting that the search for the coadjutor had already begun, Bishop Konstant added: "I know that you will cooperate fully with the nuncio in his enquiries. He has his own formal enquiries to make, but it is open to anyone to make their own suggestions to him. I do not know what the time scale will be, but hope it will not take too long."
Bishop Konstant, who became Bishop of Leeds in September 1985, is best known for his work on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. With Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston he oversaw the translation of the Catechism into English. He has written several popular books, including the best-selling prayer book, Jesus Christ: the Way, the Truth, the Life and this year's introduction to the catechism, The Faith of the Catholic Church.
Since Cardinal Basil Hume died in June 1999, the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales has undergone a rapid transformation. Over the past two years, nine bishops and three archbishops have been appointed to vacant posts. Three dioceses — East Anglia, the Bishopric of the Armed Forces, and now Leeds — are currently seeking a bishop.