Bishop William K. Weigand has announced that he is curtailing his normal work schedule because of ongoing health problems from the liver disease he has had for nearly 24 years.

The bishop, who is 67, suffers from primary sclerosing cholangitis, an uncommon progressive disease which causes scarring near the liver that affects the organ’s function. He was diagnosed with the disease in February 1981.

In a Nov. 8 letter to diocesan leaders, the bishop said he has been hospitalized twice since mid-October because of complications from the liver ailment. The letter was also read by clergy to parishioners throughout the diocese at Masses on the weekend of Nov. 13-14.

“My doctors have informed me that my condition has reached the point where active steps toward a liver transplant now need to be taken,” wrote Bishop Weigand, who has headed the diocese for nearly 11 years. “I will be pursuing discussions and studies to this end immediately. I have no idea how long this phase will take.”

The bishop plans to continue to fulfill many of his responsibilities in the 20-county diocese, but will stop making weekend pastoral visits to parishes, “which have become quite taxing,” he said.

He said Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Garcia and other members of his staff would take up some of his duties “so that the needs of the diocese will continue to be well taken care of.”

Bishop Weigand did not attend the Nov. 15-17 fall general meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C., because of his health.

Bishop Garcia said that doctors would like to carry out a liver transplant on Bishop Weigand as soon as possible.

In January, Bishop Weigand told The Herald that his liver disease was progressing and that a liver transplant may be required. “It could be advantageous that this be done while I’m in relatively good health,” he said at that time.

For the past six years, the bishop has been receiving treatment every six to 10 weeks at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center for his liver disease, in which abnormal formation of fibrous tissue blocks the passages that drain bile in the liver and out of the liver through the bile ducts to the intestine.

In the liver transplant program, a living donor, between the age of 18 and 50, who has the same blood type and body size as the bishop, would donate a portion of his or her liver to be placed in the recipient. The liver then regenerates in both people back to its normal size.

Bishop Garcia said diocesan officials mailed letters to 13 people who have come forward during the year to express an interest in donating of portion of their liver to Bishop Weigand. He said potential donors were asked to talk with their families, pray about their decision and respond by Dec. 15.

Bishop Weigand’s doctors expect a full recovery if he has the liver transplant, Bishop Garcia said. In the meantime, Bishop Weigand remains positive about his condition.

“His spirits are good, he is optimistic, he’s working a few hours each day and he’s in constant contact with his doctors,” Bishop Garcia said. “He is praying and we are all praying for him.”

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