Bishop Weigand receives new liver

Almost two weeks following surgery to replace his failing liver, the former bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City is making progress toward recovery.

Bishop William Weigand, who now heads the Diocese of Sacramento, underwent a liver transplant April 1 at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. His liver had been failing for some time, according to Dr. John Roberts, the surgeon who performed the transplant for Bishop Weigand. The 67-year-old religious leader has had a 24-year bout with primary schlerosing cholangitis, which clogs the vessels leading to bile ducts in the liver.

Lynette Magnino, director of communications for the diocese, said Wednesday that Bishop Weigand is "on the road to recovery," as is the liver donor.

The transplant was performed more than a year after it became known publicly that the bishop needed a new organ, according to officials with the Diocese of Sacramento. Dan Haverty, assistant chief of the Sacramento Metro Fire District, heard in January 2004 about the bishop's need for a transplant and wrote a letter offering to serve as a living donor.

A devout Catholic, Haverty "believes he is answering God's call," according to a press release issued by the diocese. "Everything has just fallen into place from when I wrote my first letter," he said before the surgery occurred. "I've very aware of the risks, but I know that we are given opportunities — large and small — to make a difference."

The 50-year father of two and grandfather of three lives in El Dorado Hills, Calif., and is a licensed paramedic. After his recovery, he is scheduled to return to work with the fire district.

During a press conference that preceded the surgery, Bishop Weigand thanked Haverty and his family, saying, "I will be forever eternally indebted to you for your generosity, your selflessness, for giving me a new lease on life."

Both men have now returned home, Bishop Weigand last Friday and Haverty a day later. Magnino said doctors were pleased by such an early release, noting it was "a great indicator of the healthy liver he received as well as bishop's receptivity to that." The two are now convalescing at their homes and will return to the hospital weekly for routine checks, she said.

The eight-hour operation involved two different surgical teams, the first separating Haverty's liver from its surrounding cushion of fat and tissue, then splitting the organ as surgeons cauterized and tied off dozens of blood vessels. Two-thirds of Haverty's liver was transplanted into Bishop Weigand.