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Former Santa Rosa Bishop G. Patrick Ziemann is dying of pancreatic cancer at an Arizona monastery where he settled after resigning in disgrace from leadership of the North Coast diocese 10 years ago.
Ziemann resigned abruptly in 1999 following revelations of his homosexual relationship with another priest. He left the diocese $16 million in debt.
“Like all of us, he had his faults. At the same time, he did a lot of good ... Now is the time to have him in our prayers," said Bishop Daniel Walsh of Santa Rosa, Calif., about his predecessor
Ziemann, 68, is prepared to die from the cancer that has spread to his liver, said his attorney, Chris Andrian of Santa Rosa.
“He is definitely at peace and ready to be with God, as he said to me,” Andrian said Monday.