Bishop George Murry speaks last year at one of the events commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Youngstown. Murry has submitted his request for resignation to Pope Francis due to his continued health issues. Staff file photo

YOUNGSTOWN — Facing his third bout with acute leukemia, Bishop George Murry has submitted a letter to Pope Francis, requesting to step down as diocesan bishop.

The Diocese of Youngstown on Tuesday announced that Murry seeks to resign for reasons of ill health.

Diagnosed with a form of acute leukemia in April 2018, Murry underwent intensive chemotherapy at the Cleveland Clinic.

In July 2019, he re-entered the Cleveland Clinic for a recurrence of leukemia. At that time tests confirmed that he was in remission and that doctors were not recommending a bone marrow transplant.

This past April, however, Murry’s leukemia returned, and he resumed treatment.

Monsignor John Zuraw, diocesan chancellor, said with Murry’s third bout of leukemia, his present state of health leaves him less able to fulfill the tasks entrusted to him as bishop of the diocese.

Zuraw said the letter was sent to Pope Francis and may take three to four weeks for approval and a response.

“Once it is accepted, an administrator will be appointed or elected for the diocese. The whole process takes a year to a year and a half before another bishop is named here to Youngstown,” Zuraw said.

He said that Murry will remain the bishop until the pope officially accepts the resignation request.

Zuraw said there will not be an interim appointed, but staff at the diocese are in contact with Murry, who will make decisions until his resignation is official.

Murry, 71, is the fifth bishop for the Diocese of Youngstown and has served since 2007. The diocese includes Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Stark, Portage and Ashtabula counties.

Zuraw said the current coronavirus situation, with not all staff working, may slow down the process for a Vatican response.

Zuraw said treatments for this third bout of leukemia have

weakened the bishop.

“He has always been energetic and able to get a lot done. Right now it is important he focus on his health since anyone battling leukemia does not have the same stamina and energy levels as they would before,” he said.

Zuraw said Murry, after prayerful consideration, felt it was in the best interest of the Diocese of Youngstown that he step down and have someone else continue all that he has started — with the energy needed to get the work done.

Zuraw said the pope, upon approving the request, may either appoint an apostolic administrator or a diocesan administrator to oversee day-to-day operations of the Diocese and work with staff,

He said that person would serve in that capacity until a new bishop is appointed.

Zuraw said Murry is not one to completely stop even when he has been battling leukemia and recovering.

“He has done phenomenal work while he has been here and has served on the national level for many committees, including one on racism, which he served as chairman,” he said.

While he did step down as chairman of that committee due to health, he remains a member of the committee.

“He has always focused on Catholic education and has worked to make sure the local areas have the schools,” Zuraw said.

Murry was also involved with the parish reconfiguration, which has been discussed and worked on for the past few years.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com