The surgery -- a radical prostatectomy -- is scheduled for June 15 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Cancer was discovered during a biopsy in April, and after additional consultations his physicians determined surgery to be the most prudent option.

The prostate surgery will require changes in the bishops' schedules. Assistant Bishop Victor Scantlebury will preside at the diocesan confirmation on Saturday June 16 at St. James Cathedral, and he and his wife, Marcia, will take the place of Persell and his wife, Nancy, on the Bishops Associates Discover the Diocese tour July 7 and 8 to Freeport and Galena, Illinois. Scantlebury will also attend the meeting of Episcopal Church and African Anglican bishops -- whose dioceses are in companion relationships -- July 20-27 in El Escorial, Spain.

When he receives his physician's okay to travel, Bishop and Nancy Persell will leave for their summer home in Lake Champlain, New York, and stay there until the end of August.

The Persells plan to move their household to their new home in Cleveland in mid-November, but will return to Chicago periodically during the transition in episcopal leadership. The bishop will remain the ecclesiastical authority until a bishop-elect is consecrated or invested on February 2, 2008. A farewell and reception will be held for the Persells sometime this fall.

"I'm grateful for all of your prayers, support and hard work which make our diocese one of the leaders of the Episcopal Church," said Persell in his letter. "It's a joy serving as your bishop. I will miss you."