MIAMI SHORES (AP) — The Roman Catholic Church in Miami is getting a new leader.

Bishop Thomas Wenski formally took over the Miami archdiocese on Tuesday, June 1. Pope Benedict XVI announced in April that the 59-year-old Wenski was replacing Archbishop John Favalora, who had held the job since 1994.
Wenski is a South Florida native who was ordained a priest in 1976 and was appointed bishop of the Orlando diocese in 2003. He speaks Haitian Creole and Spanish, and is known for his advocacy for immigrants.

Critics have said Wenski was sluggish in responding to abuse allegations against a central Florida priest. Wenksi said he followed proper procedures, and he noted that criminal charges against the priest were dropped.

The Miami archdiocese includes 1.3 million Catholics.