JOLIET — Joseph Imesch, who served as bishop of the Diocese of Joliet for 40 percent of its history, died Tuesday morning at age 84.

Imesch left a legacy of supporting women's and gay rights in the Catholic Church but also criticism of his response to allegations of sex abuse by clergy.

Imesch served as bishop of the diocese for 40 percent of its history, diocesan officials said in a statement. His years of service were marked by “great change and population growth which he managed well.” The diocese includes DuPage, Grundy, Kankakee and Will counties.

“Bishop Imesch led with conviction and compassion and used his many talents generously,” Bishop R. Daniel Conlon said in the statement. "As we celebrate the coming of Christ in this season and, at the same time, commend Bishop Imesch to the love and mercy of God, his episcopal motto seems especially appropriate: The Lord Is Near. May he be near the Lord for all eternity."

Imesch was ordained in 1956 in Rome, and became the Joliet Diocese's third bishop Aug. 28, 1979, after serving as auxiliary bishop of Detroit and regional bishop of the Northwest Region.

Imesch was a supporter of women’s rights and acceptances of gays by the church. Under his leadership, the Joliet Diocese sponsored speakers advocating for the inclusion of gay Catholics. As bishop also appointed women to key administrative posts traditionally held by men.

Before he retired from the diocese in 2006, he was noted for having a likable personality and warm sense of humor.

However, he also faced criticism in the early 2000s for his response to reports of sex abuse of minors by clergy in the diocese.

This year, the Diocese of Joliet agreed to pay $4.14 million to settle sex abuse claims made by 14 men, according to the law firms representing the plaintiffs. The incidents occurred during the 1960s through the 1980s and involved five priests.

The incidents took place when Bishop Romeo Blanchette – who has died – and Imesch oversaw the diocese.

Lawyers released last year a 2005 deposition that showed Imesch conceding under questioning that he sometimes allowed priests to stay on or transferred them as allegations they sexually abused children arose. A 2005 deposition also showed Imesch admitted he withheld information from authorities about clerics accused of sex crimes.

He retired from the diocese in 2006, as he had reached the mandatory retirement age of 75.

Imesch was born in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. He received a bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart Seminary High School and College in Detroit and a licentiate in sacred theology from the North American College in Rome.

• The Associated Press contributed to this report.