The Archbishop of Keewatin – Le Pas has retired due to illness.

A member of the Roman Catholic archdiocese is confirming that Most Reverend Sylvain Lavoie stepped down around July 12th.

Father William Stang is asking for people to keep the retired priest in their prayers.

Stang says he was recently appointed apostolic administrator for the archdiocese and will replace Lavoie for the time being.

The archdiocese covers much of northern Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan with about 37,000 parishioners.