Nobody knows.

Speculation is swirling-as it is oft to do when concerning an opening in the Catholic hierarchy-about who will replace Cardinal Edward Egan in New York now that he’s reached the mandatory retirement age of 75. There’s no sign that Egan is going anywhere anytime soon, but that hasn’t stopped church-watchers from speculating who will take his place in the pulpit of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The CW is that Egan will stick on until April 2008 when the archdiocese wraps up celebrations for its 200th birthday. Egan seems anxious to move on-and more than a few New York Catholics will happy to see him go-but for now it’s business as usual.

Gary Stern over at the Journal News in Westchester County has a good story laying out the scene.