Auxiliary bishops....why?

[Spirithound]

So I’ve been thinking, if a diocese is populous enough that it seems to require one or more auxiliary bishops along with the Ordinary to run it properly, why not create another diocese out of it?

 

[VociMike]

Just guessing, but splitting a diocese into two is a major undertaking. Bringing in an auxiliary bishop to help with the workload is not.

It could also be that some dioceses are not easily split, such as those that comprise a very large city.

 

[rwoehmke]

Sometimes it is a way to get the person who will be the new Bishop up to speed. Also like all of us Bishops age and with age often comes an inability to do all the work required of the Bishop, so…that is my understanding.

 

[Paul2274]

Sometimes it is a way to get the person who will be the new Bishop up to speed. Also like all of us Bishops age and with age often comes an inability to do all the work required of the Bishop, so…that is my understanding.

Also think of the expense it would take to have a duplicate of everything that goes into a diocese.

Paul

 

[LRThunder]

And auxiliary bishops are mostly assigned to metropolitan archdioceses such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, etc. Most suffragan dioceses don’t have auxiliary bishops.

 

[mardukm]

Simply put, it is against one of the most ancient canon laws to take away a jurisdiction or portions of a jurisdiction of a bishop. A diocese may be enlarged, and eventually become an Archbishopric or a Metropolitan See, to include surrounding episcopal sees, but the original basic dioceses would and must remain. Canon 431-3 of the Latin Code states that only the Supreme authority of the Church my “alter” a jurisdiction, but as far as I know, that only involves the expansion of a jurisdiction, not the reduction of it.

A bishop’s jurisdiction is part of what are called “acquired rights.” Not even the Pope, according to Canon law, can harm the acquired right of another.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[Joe_5859]

Sometimes it is a way to get the person who will be the new Bishop up to speed. Also like all of us Bishops age and with age often comes an inability to do all the work required of the Bishop, so…that is my understanding.

What you are describing would probably be more accuratley applied to a coadjutor bishop. That is what is going on in Cincinnati right now, for example. As Archbishop Pilarczyk approaches the 75, Schnurr was named Coadjutor Archbishop. That basically means he’s next in line for that diocese once Pilarczyk retires (this August, or thereabouts).

Auxiliary bishops are given titular sees. It basically means they’re technically a bishop of a diocese that no longer exists.

 

[Spirithound]

Simply put, it is against one of the most ancient canon laws to take away a jurisdiction or portions of a jurisdiction of a bishop. A diocese may be enlarged, and eventually become an Archbishopric or a Metropolitan See, to include surrounding episcopal sees, but the original basic dioceses would and must remain. Canon 431-3 of the Latin Code states that only the Supreme authority of the Church my “alter” a jurisdiction, but as far as I know, that only involves the expansion of a jurisdiction, not the reduction of it.

A bishop’s jurisdiction is part of what are called “acquired rights.” Not even the Pope, according to Canon law, can harm the acquired right of another.

Blessings,
Marduk

Peace, Marduk!

I have found here a history of the (now Arch)Diocese of Toronto.
catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dtoro.html

It was formed out of part of the (now Arch)Diocese of Kingston, and in turn, the Diocese of Toronto lost territory when the Diocese of Hamilton was erected, and the Diocese of Hamilton and the Archdiocese of Toronto lost territory when the Diocese of St. Catharines was erected.

Now, this could still fit in with your model, because the Bishops of Hamilton and St. Catharines are suffragans to the Archbishop of Toronto.

 

[LilyM]

I think an important reason for having the position of auxiliary bishop is that, as has been pointed out, it is a form of training suitable candidates up for the tasks and responsibilities involved in being a solo Bishop. Or indeed a way for an Archbishop to groom someone to succeed him in his office.

 

[dans0622]

So I’ve been thinking, if a diocese is populous enough that it seems to require one or more auxiliary bishops along with the Ordinary to run it properly, why not create another diocese out of it?

Hi Spirithound,

Others have already pointed out some practical reasons for having auxiliary bishops. Just to add a little more canonical flavor to the discussion, the law states:

Can. 403 §1. When the pastoral needs of a diocese suggest it, one or more auxiliary bishops are to be appointed at the request of the diocesan bishop. An auxiliary bishop does not possess the right of succession.

§2. In more serious circumstances, even of a personal nature, an auxiliary bishop provided with special faculties can be given to a diocesan bishop.​

The following canons give a bit more of an idea regarding what auxiliaries are to do. Now, as to why the Pope doesn’t just create a new diocese–that can and does happen, too. But, a diocese is a “juridic person” which means that it is, by nature, perpetual and, similar to what Marduk said, they (the juridic persons themselves) have rights and obligations. An applicable canon here is:

Can. 122 (If a juridic person) is so divided…that a distinct public juridic person is erected from the separated part, the ecclesiastical authority competent to make the division, having observed before all else the intention of the founders and donors, the acquired rights, and the approved statutes, must take care personally or through an executor:

1/ that common, divisible, patrimonial goods and rights as well as debts and other obligations are divided among the juridic persons concerned, with due proportion in equity and justice, after all the circumstances and needs of each have been taken into account;

2/ that the use and usufruct of common goods which are not divisible accrue to each juridic person and that the obligations proper to them are imposed upon each, in due proportion determined in equity and justice.​

If the Pope sees that it is necessary-for the benefit of the faithful-that a separate jurisdiction be created, he can do it. But, it is a lot more difficult than just appointing an auxiliary (or more) who can help the diocesan bishop care for his flock.

(By the way, this is perhaps rather trivial but an auxiliary is also supposed to be an “ordinary” since he is supposed to be appointed vicar general or at least episcopal vicar–offices which make their possessor an “ordinary.”)

Dan