Retired Phoenix Bishop Thomas O'Brien dies at 82
PHOENIX (AP) — Retired Bishop Thomas J. O'Brien, who served the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix for more than 20 years before stepping down following a sexual-abuse scandal involving suspected pedophile priests, died Sunday. He was 82.
A statement from the diocese said O'Brien died from "ongoing health complications related to Parkinson's disease."
O'Brien served as bishop of the diocese in Arizona's most populous city from 1982 to 2003.
An investigation by local prosecutors in 2002 revealed O'Brien had protected suspected pedophile priests.
He was granted immunity from prosecution after signing a document admitting his part in cover-ups of alleged sexual misconduct by diocesan priests.