Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien, spiritual leader of the area's half million Catholics, has issued a statement on the plea agreement and pending resignation of Mayor Shelia Dixon:

"The news of Mayor Dixon’s plea in court today and her decision to resign as Mayor of Baltimore is sad news for the mayor, her family and for our entire city," he said. "I would ask the Catholic community in Baltimore City and throughout this historic Archdiocese to pray for the mayor and her family at this difficult time, as well as for City Council President Rawlings-Blake, and to unite in prayer with our sisters and brothers from other faith families for the good of our beloved city."

While the Archdiocese of Baltimore works with the city on several efforts, O'Brien has been at odds with both Dixon and Rawlings-Blake over the new city ordinance that requires faith-based crisis pregnancy centers to post signs making clear that they don't provide referrals for abortion or birth control.