The Bishop Takes a Spill

Requests for prayer have come in from Oakland where, according to a release from the diocese, Bishop Allen Vigneron "tripped and fell" outside his residence on Friday afternoon.

Taken to a local hospital by ambulance, "it was determined that he had suffered a compound fracture of his left arm (forearm and elbow) and a fracture of his right wrist," the diocese said. The bishop underwent orthopedic surgery on the affected areas yesterday morning, and for the time being, "privacy and rest are prescribed by his physicians so that he may begin the road to complete recovery.

A native of Detroit, Vigneron -- who's carved out a rep for springing into gear on the floor of the USCCB whenever liturgy's at issue -- turns 58 next month.

In other recuperating-bishop bytes, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago is still expected to return to a limited schedule on 1 October. Last week, the Chicago Tribune reported that by mid-month, the American hierarchy's de facto head -- whose cancerous bladder and right ureter were removed in late July -- is planning to step it up a notch with a trip to Rome.

-30-