The Nation - News from Dec. 17, 1986

Seattle Archbishop Raymond Hunthausen had major prostate surgery and will remain hospitalized for at least two weeks, a spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle said. Physicians reported a small malignancy had spread to some lymph node tissues, but that “as nearly as can be determined, all of the tumor was removed” and complete recovery was expected. The archbishop received widespread media attention last month when the U.S. Catholic bishops in a closed session considered how to respond to Vatican action shifting much of Hunthausen’s pastoral authority to an assistant. The unusual disciplinary measure was taken because of the archbishop’s alleged laxity in enforcing orthodox Catholic doctrine and practice. The spokesman said Hunthausen was expected to resume normal duties in about a month and meantime will retain administrative control of the archdiocese.