As the Archdiocese of Detroit prepares for the departure of Bishop Donald Hanchon, Archbishop Allen Vigneron praised the prelate and his service to the community.

In accordance with church law, Hanchon submitted his resignation in October upon reaching the age of 75. Pope Francis recently accepted it.

“It has been a great blessing to serve alongside such an outstanding priest and to have him as a brother bishop aiding in my charge of shepherding the people of God in southeast Michigan,” Vigneron said in a Twitter posting. 

Until alternate arrangements are made, Hanchon will maintain his position as regional moderator for the Central Region of the Archdiocese, the Archdiocese of Detroit said in a statement. 

Hanchon was born in Jackson, Michigan. He was ordained as a priest in Detroit in 1974. He studied Hispanic culture in the 1980s and has served as a pastor for various parishes in Detroit's Hispanic community. 

In 2011, he was ordained as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit by Vigneron after having served as the pastor of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in southwest Detroit since 1999, the archdiocese said. 

Hanchon was appointed as the episcopal vicar and regional moderator of the Central Region, which encompasses Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park, in 2009.

“I hasten to tell you that I am not disappearing,” Hanchon said. “I will continue to do confirmations and try to be of help in any way that I can, much as I had, along with several others, before I became an auxiliary bishop.”

He also thanked the archdiocese and its parishioners for allowing him to fulfill his pastoral duties.

“I am grateful for the ways being an auxiliary bishop has allowed me to serve, and I ask for your continued prayers,” he said in the release.