Bishop Devine handed his resignation to the Vatican on 7 August 2012, his 75th birthday, as required by canon law, this was accepted on 30 May 2013 at which point Bishop Joseph Toal, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles was appointed apostolic administrator. The Diocese of Motherwell was a Sede Vacante until his successor, Bishop Joseph Toal, was appointed by Pope Francis on 29 April 2014 with his installation taking place on 23 June 2014 where Bishop Devine handed over the diocesan Crozier to the new bishop. Joseph Devine died Thursday 23 May 2019 after a short stay in Wishaw General Hospital.