the new leader of the Catholic church in Bermuda.

Roman Catholic Bishop the Most Rev. Brian Hennessy announced that he will be replaced by the Rev. Robert Kurtz later this year.

Bishop Hennessy -- who has served in the post for the past 20 years -- told The Royal Gazette he had reached 75 and officially retired 18 months ago.

But while it has taken the diocese that long to find his replacement, Bishop Hennessy said the time spent searching for the new bishop was well worth it.

Having known Bishop Kurtz for 27 years, the retired Bishop said: "He is the best person for the job''.

Bishop Kurtz -- who was born to Polish parents in Chicago -- was ordained on March 11, 1967.

He served in various pastoral ministries in the Archdiocese of Chicago and was later Secretary to the Priest's Council of the same Archdiocese.

After spending 18 years in Rome, he served as Assistant General of the Congregation of the Resurrection in Chicago for six years, and as Superior General for 12 years.

At 56, he is serving in the Mission of the Resurrection in the Archdiocese of Oaxaca in Mexico, the poorest assigned to his congregation.

Bishop Kurtz -- who has visited Bermuda several times -- fluently speaks English, Polish, Italian, Spanish, and some Portuguese.

Bishop Hennessy left Bermuda yesterday to meet with Bishop Kurtz in Chicago.

He could not give a date for when his replacement would arrive in Bermuda nor other details about him until after that meeting, he said.

However, he expected that Bishop Kurtz would be installed by September.

After that, Bishop Hennessy said, he would enjoy retirement by maintaining the grounds of the church's "Glendalough'' cottage at Lighthouse Hill in Southampton.

Bishop Hennessy said he also hoped to spend some time in Rome.

Reflecting on his time spent as the leader of the Catholic church in Bermuda, he said: "I cannot recall any bad experiences here''.