WASHINGTON (CNS) – Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski of Metuchen, N.J., and named as his successor Msgr. James Checchio, a priest of the Diocese of Camden, N.J.

Bishop Bootkoski is 75, the age at which canon law requires bishops to turn in their resignation to the pope. In January, Bishop-designate Checchio, 49, completed a 10-year tenure as rector of the Pontifical North American College (NAC) in Rome.

Then-Msgr. Checchio was the Moderator of the Curia during Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio’s tenure as Bishop of Camden. It was Bishop DiMarzio who released him to the post of Econome of the NAC before he was named its rector.