Appointment of Eastern Catholic Bishops

[Matthew_Holford]

How much involvement does the Pope have in the appointment of hierarchs in the 22 Eastern Catholic churches sui iuris? Is it the same as in the Latin Catholic Church sui iuris or less? How are the primates (patriarch, major archbishop, or metropolitan) of the Eastern Catholic churches sui iuris chosen? Are they elected by their Synod and then have the election confirmed by the Pope, or does the Pope directly appoint them?

Are any dicasteries of the Holy See involved? If they are, is it the Congregation for Bishops, or the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, or both?

 

[mardukm]

How much involvement does the Pope have in the appointment of hierarchs in the 22 Eastern Catholic churches sui iuris? Is it the same as in the Latin Catholic Church sui iuris or less? How are the primates (patriarch, major archbishop, or metropolitan) of the Eastern Catholic churches sui iuris chosen? Are they elected by their Synod and then have the election confirmed by the Pope, or does the Pope directly appoint them?

Are any dicasteries of the Holy See involved? If they are, is it the Congregation for Bishops, or the Congregation for the Oriental Churches, or both?

For all sui juris Churches, the appointment or election of bishops is in the competence of the Holy Synod. If a bishop who is appointed or elected to an eparchy has received prior episcopal consecration, then the Pope is not involved at all. If the candidate has yet to receive episcopal consecration, then the Pope’s assent is required. The Pope can reject the candidate, but should choose an alternative from the list of candidates (normally 3) provided by the Synod. The Pope has the prerogative to choose his own candidate, but the Synod has the prerogative to not accept him. At that point, the selection process starts over.

A Patriarch, after election of his Synod, does not require confirmation by the Pope; a Majorarchbishop or Metropolitan of a sui juris Church requires confirmation by the Pope; a Metropolitan within a Patriarchal or Majorarchepiscopal jurisdiction requires the confirmation of the Patriarch or Majorarchbishop.

Keep in mind that the canonical prerogative of giving “assent” is not the same thing as the canonical prerogative of “episcopal confirmation.” Canonical assent by the Pope is an administrative prerogative. In distinction, episcopal confirmation given by a Patriarch or Metropolitan or MajorArchbishop is the action that actually grants the candidate his episcopal prerogatives.

I’m sure brothers Aramis or Vico will provide the appropriate canons if you require them.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[Matthew_Holford]

For all sui juris Churches, the appointment or election of bishops is in the competence of the Holy Synod. If a bishop who is appointed or elected to an eparchy has received prior episcopal consecration, then the Pope is not involved at all. If the candidate has yet to receive episcopal consecration, then the Pope’s assent is required. The Pope can reject the candidate, but should choose an alternative from the list of candidates (normally 3) provided by the Synod. The Pope has the prerogative to choose his own candidate, but the Synod has the prerogative to not accept him. At that point, the selection process starts over.

A Patriarch, after election of his Synod, does not require confirmation by the Pope; a Majorarchbishop or Metropolitan of a sui juris Church requires confirmation by the Pope; a Metropolitan within a Patriarchal or Majorarchepiscopal jurisdiction requires the confirmation of the Patriarch or Majorarchbishop.

Keep in mind that the canonical prerogative of giving “assent” is not the same thing as the canonical prerogative of “episcopal confirmation.” Canonical assent by the Pope is an administrative prerogative. In distinction, episcopal confirmation given by a Patriarch or Metropolitan or MajorArchbishop is the action that actually grants the candidate his episcopal prerogatives.

I’m sure brothers Aramis or Vico will provide the appropriate canons if you require them.

Blessings,
Marduk

No, thank you Marduk your explanation is all I need. I know the Pope is (or at least appears to be) very much involved with the appointment of all Latin Bishops. I just wondered how involved he was in the appointment of bishops in the Eastern Catholic churches. You’ve answered my query - no need to back it up with the canons.

 

[Hesychios]

No, thank you Marduk your explanation is all I need. I know the Pope is (or at least appears to be) very much involved with the appointment of all Latin Bishops. I just wondered how involved he was in the appointment of bishops in the Eastern Catholic churches. You’ve answered my query - no need to back it up with the canons.

Of the 22 eastern Catholic churches, six have patriarchates and patriarchal synods.

If you cultivate any further interest, you may look over the canons yourself here.