Catholic bishop to retire from Diocese of St. Augustine Estevez will continue serving as the bishop until the pope accepts his letter of resignation, but the position may stay vacant for months. Credit: Courtesy of Bob Mack / Florida Times-Union Bishop Felipe Estevez. Published: 11:23 AM EST January 8, 2021 Updated: 11:23 AM EST January 8, 2021 ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The 10th bishop of the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine will officially submit a letter of resignation to Pope Francis on Feb. 5, according to diocesan officials. Bishop Felipe Estevez will leave the office he has served since mid-2011 because the mandatory retirement age for bishops is 75. As was done when Bishop Victor Galeone retired in 2011 after replacing John Snyder in 2001, the pope will make the ultimate decision as to who replaces Estevez.