Today, Saturday May 26, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Bishop Metod Pirih of Koper from office, according to Can. 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law (CCL), and appointed Auxiliary Bishop Jurij Bizjak the new Bishop Ordinary of Koper.[1]
Pope John Paul II (1978–2005) appointed Mons. Metod Pirih Coadjutor Bishop with the right of succession to the then-Bishop Ordinary of Koper, Most Rev. Janez Jenko (1977–1987) on March 25, 1985. He was consecrated bishop on May 27, 1985 at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Koper, and took possession of the Diocese of Koper on April 16, 1987 upon the retirement of Bishop Jenko. Bishop Pirih reached the age of 75 years on May 9, 2011, the age when bishops are requested to offer resignation from office (cf. Can. 401 CCL).
Pope John Paul II appointed Mons. Jurij Bizjak Auxiliary Bishop of Koper and Titular Bishop of Gergi on May 13, 2000. He was consecrated bishop on July 5, 2000 at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Koper. He chose as his episcopal motto a quote from the Book of the Prophet Haggai, »Take Courage, all you People of the Land« (Hg 2,4).
The text was forwarded by the Apostolic Nuncio in the Republic Slovenia, His Excellency Mons. Juliusz Janusz.
Biography of the Bishop of Koper, Most Rev. Jurij Bizjak
Statements by the Bishop Metod Pirih and the Bishop Jurij Bizjak
[1] Can. 401 § 1 CCL: »A diocesan bishop who has completed his seventy-fifth year of age is requested to present his resignation from office to the Supreme Pontiff who will make provisions after he has examined all the circumstances.«
