Pope Francis announced on Tuesday that he accepted the resignation of Canadian bishop Jean-Pierre Blais, who faces allegations of sexual assault in a class-action lawsuit against the church. The 75-year-old bishop of Baie-Comeau in Quebec was replaced by Reverend Pierre Charland, 62, from Canada's Roman Catholic Franciscan order.

The resignation of Bishop Blais, as stated by the pope, was in accordance with the church's practice of bishops offering to resign upon reaching the age of 75. The decision to accept the resignation is made following a thorough review of the circumstances.

While Bishop Blais has denied any wrongdoing and is named in a list of alleged sexual predators in the lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Quebec, the Diocese of Baie-Comeau clarified that the appointment of Reverend Charland is unrelated to the allegations. The diocese emphasized that the nomination of a new bishop is part of the church's standard procedure for bishops reaching the age of 75. Bishop Blais will not be addressing the media, according to the diocese.