Bishop of Motherwell Joseph Devine steps down after resigning The Bishop of Motherwell is to step down from his post after 30 years, leaving the question of who will succeed him unresolved. Bishop Joseph Devine originally submitted his resignation last August when he reached the age of 75, but agreed to stay on until a successor was appointed. His office will now be handled by an adminstrator until a new Bishop of Motherwell is ordained. A statement from the Diocese of Motherwell said: "He is now relieved and happy that ten months after tendering his resignation that the burden of office is now being handed initially to an administrator, as has happened in other dioceses, and in the fullness of time to a younger man who will be ordained as the new Bishop of Motherwell. He will always have a deep fondness for the people of Lanarkshire and is greatly appreciative of the loyalty, support and generosity that he has received not only from his own congregations but from people of all faiths and none. Bishop Devine, who was ordained in 1977 and has headed the Diocese of Motherwell since 1983, is the second senior figure in the Catholic Church to leave his post this year. In February Cardinal Keith O'Brien stepped down as leader of the Scottish Catholic Church after admitting inappropriate sexual conduct during his church career. The Vatican said last week he was leaving the country for several months for "spiritual renewal, payer and penance."