Pelotte quits
Pope accepts injured bishop's resignation

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Bishop Donald Pelotte of Gallup, who has been recovering from head injuries in an apparent fall at his home, has resigned.

Pope Benedict XVI accepted Pelotte’s request to resign, but did not elaborate, the Vatican said Wednesday.

Pelotte, 63, had been on a medical leave of absence.
Despite speculation that Pelotte might have been assaulted, he and Diocese of Gallup officials have said he was injured when he fell down the stairs.

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.