CHARLOTTE -- Bishop William Curlin, the third bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, has died.

The current diocese Bishop Peter Jugis says Bishop Curlin passed away from cancer at Carolinas Medical Center over the weekend.

The 90 year old recently celebrated 60 years within the priesthood.

He served the Catholic population of Charlotte for eight years before retiring in 2002.

Prior to the Queen City, Curlin was auxiliary bishop of Washington, D.C.

A vigil prayer service for Curlin will be held on Monday, Jan. 1 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Charlotte.

A mass of Christian burial will be held the next day at the same church.