Donald Pelotte, first Indian bishop, resigns

Donald Pelotte, the first American Indian bishop of the Catholic Church, resigned as head of the Diocese of Gallup, New Mexico, the Vatican announced on Wednesday.

Pelotte, who is Abenaki from Maine, suffered a severe head injury in July 2007. The Gallup Independent tried to discover more information about the incident but Pelotte insisted he fell in an accident in his home. Police declined to investigate.

Pelotte, 63, was appointed at bishop of Gallup in 1990.

Get the Story:
Vatican accepts area bishop's resignation (The Farmington Daily Times 5/1)
Gallup Bishop Steps Down (The Albuquerque Journal 5/1)

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