By Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) — Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Bishop William S. Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., and named Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Rapid City, S.D., to succeed him.

The appointment and resignation were announced June 30 in Washington by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop Cupich, 61, had been bishop of Rapid City since 1998. Bishop Skylstad, 76, has been a bishop since 1977 and head of the Spokane Diocese since 1990.