HARRISBURG -- Bishop Joseph McFadden, leader of the Catholic diocese of Harrisburg, died this morning, according to a statement from the diocese.
Diocesan officials said while staying at a rectory in Philadelphia to attend a meeting, he awoke feeling ill and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at approximately 7:40 a.m.
A cause of death has not yet been announced.
Bishop McFadden was the 10th bishop of Harrisburg, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI and installed just a few years ago, in August of 2010.
Newswatch 16 was there for the installation ceremony.
"Let us be a sign of hope to all the people that live within the confines of the Diocese of Harrisburg," said Bishop McFadden during the homily of his installation mass.
The diocese of Harrisburg covers 15 counties, including Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union.
As for what happens now in the Diocese of Harrisburg: the governance goes to what's called the college of consulters. They will have eight days to elect an administrator, who will be in charge of the day-to-day operations of the diocese, until a new bishop can be appointed by the Pope.
Bishop McFadden was 65.