At least three diocesan bishops observed Easter suffering from physical infirmity this year. Doctors were unable to treat a persistent ankle infection and with their advice the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, Bishop of Los Angeles, consented to the amputation of his left foot above the ankle. He has been fitted with a prosthetic device and in a letter to the diocese dated March 29 said he expects to be back to his normal work schedule in three to four weeks.

The Rt. Rev. Creighton L. Robertson, Bishop of South Dakota, has maintained a vigorous work schedule and a pleasant demeanor for more than a year while undergoing dialysis three times a week. During that time span Bishop Robertson has also lived with uncertainty as he awaits a suitable kidney donor match. Doctors thought they had identified a match with his son, Joe, during the winter, but after extensive pre-operative tests a few weeks before the Jan. 20 surgery date, they ruled him out as a donor after they discovered that he had early-stage symptoms of a treatable autoimmune disorder. Although Joe is responding well to treatment and may become eligible as a donor again if he continues to recover, Bishop Robertson has been placed back on the general donor pool.

Finally, on March 30, the Bishop of Virginia, the Rt. Rev. Peter J. Lee, spent a few hours at work in the diocesan office for the first time since he underwent triple bypass surgery on Jan. 31. Nancy Jenkins, communications director for the diocese, said Bishop Lee looked great and left the office after a few hours in order to work out at a nearby fitness center. His first official day back in the office will be April 4.