By CHAT News Today

Calgary bishop hands in early resignation

Jan 4, 2017 | 9:08 AM

CALGARY — The Vatican has accepted the early resignation of a Calgary bishop who has been embroiled in controversy over opposition to LGBTQ policies in Alberta schools.

Bishop Frederick Henry, 73, handed in his resignation to Pope Francis, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops announced Wednesday.

Henry, who has served in Calgary for the past 19 years, is two years younger than the age bishops must offer their resignation to the Pope.

Henry made headlines last year after labelling Alberta’s provincial guidelines for LGBTQ students “anti-Catholic” and “totalitarian.” Education minister David Eggen introduced policies requiring schools to draft policies to allow transgender students to use bathrooms of their choice and to dress or play on sports teams according to their perception of gender.

The statement on Henry’s resignation included no mention of the controversy.

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As Bishop of the Diocese of Calgary, Henry oversaw 67 parishes and missions, with a Catholic population of 435,328.

Henry will be succeeded by Reverend William Terrence McGrattan, the Bishop of the Diocese of Peterborough.