New Delhi, Dec. 20 -- Cardinal Timothy Dolan has stepped down from his position as the Archbishop of New York after occupying it for 17 years. The custom in the Catholic Church has been for Bishops to submit their resignation after turning 75 years old, the age that Cardinal Dolan reached earlier this year.

"(On) February 6, I turned 75," Dolan told Fox News on Friday. "Every bishop has to submit a letter of resignation to the Holy Father and every bishop's (letter) is accepted in this way: the Holy Father accepts your resignation (and) you will remain as Archbishop of New York until your successor is named."

The appointment of Bishop Ronald A. Hicks of Joliet, Illinois, as Cardinal Dolan's successor on December 18 meant that the latter...