On his 75th birthday in 2011, in accordance with Canon 401 §1 of the Latin Church 1983 Code of Canon Law, Bishop Rawsthorne offered his resignation as Bishop of Hallam to Pope Benedict XVI, but was refused and remained in office for the next three years.
Bishop Rawsthorne submitted his resignation as Bishop of Hallam to Pope Benedict XVI according to Canon 401 §1 of the Latin Church's 1983 Code of Canon Law. He was denied, but continued serving for three more years.