ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Catholic Bishop Salvatore Matano says he plans to submit a letter of resignation to Pope Francis this month. 

In a letter to the church Monday, Matano says he will soon turn 75 and in accordance with Church law, he must submit his resignation. 

Matano was appointed Bishop in 2013, replacing Matthew Clark. His tenure has been consumed by numerous childhood sex abuse allegations which ultimately lead the church to file for bankruptcy two years ago. 

In his letter to the faithful of the Diocese, Matano writes:  

"I would hope to be able to see the diocese through to the completion of the bankruptcy process, thereby relieving my successor of this painful situation."

To date, 475 claims have been brought against the diocese. 

Pope Francis will now decide how long Bishop Matano will be allowed to serve beyond his 75th birthday.