Father David O'Connell will serve as coadjutor of the central New Jersey diocese until the pope accepts the resignation of Bishop John Smith. Smith must submit his resignation when he turns 75 on June 23. It's not known when the pope will accept the resignation.
O'Connell is 55. The bishop-elect is a priest of the Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission, which is also known as the Vincentians.
Smith was born in Orange and became Trenton's bishop in July 1997.
The Trenton Diocese serves 119 parishes in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties.
