The pope has asked one of the most famous prelates in the West to stay on past retirement age:

The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, offered his resignation ahead of his 75 birthday in accordance with canon law.

Pope Benedict XVI has said the cardinal should remain in position.

Cardinal O’Connor, who has accepted the request, is likely to remain as archbishop for between a year and 18 months beyond his birthday in August.

In a letter to priests and auxiliary bishops in the Diocese of Westminster, the cardinal said: “In the response I have received, the Holy Father has invited me instead to continue in my present pastoral ministry donec aliter provideatur. That is, until he chooses otherwise.

“I am very content to accept the Holy Father’s request.”

You can read more about the cardinal’s storied career here. Rocco, as usual, has the goods.

Photo: Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, from the BBC