Awaiting a Shepherd in Sioux Falls

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bknebel

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I’m starting this thread to discuss the long wait of a Bishop for those of us in the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls. Has anyone heard any ‘rumours’ regarding it?

I know at one time I had heard that it would be an “appointment from within” but now it seems thats not going to happen.

I had discussed this with Orionthehunter and we both concluded that ‘from within’ would maybe create some issues.

Anyone here wish to discuss the speculations floating around and also share their anxiety and excitement for a new bishop in Sioux Falls?
 
I would just point out that the United States is awaiting the arrival of the new Papal Nuncio sometime in February…which would lead me to believe that you might still be waiting until he gets settled in, especially because you are under the guidance of an apostolic adminstrator.
 
FromMi, very true.

I just very recently now heard that it will be around Easter that we can expect a Bishop, because the the new Nuncio.
 
We, in the Diocese of Youngstown are in the same situation. Our Bishop was reassigned by Pope John Paul II just days before his death and we have been without a Bishop ever since. It is hard to wait so long for a new shepherd, isn’t it? And so filled with anxiety…hoping for a good, strong leader… that we need so desperately in these parts. Pray pray pray, right?
 
Its like waiting for a christmas present, or a loved one thats been away!
 
Hey Basil, I have followed Bishop Carlson’s threads re: Saginaw fairly closely but never have posted before. I figured out that you and OrionHunter were from this diocese. I live in Sioux Falls and knew Bishop Carlson well and miss his presence but am thankful for his “shepherding” while he was here.

I had lunch w/ a priest a week ago and got the sense in discussing our new Bishop that he had some news on that front but was not at liberty to share. Oh well, patience.

By the way, I read your blog link re: your trip. Is your youth leader Kala, a Heller?
 
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legeorge:
We, in the Diocese of Youngstown are in the same situation. Our Bishop was reassigned by Pope John Paul II just days before his death and we have been without a Bishop ever since. It is hard to wait so long for a new shepherd, isn’t it? And so filled with anxiety…hoping for a good, strong leader… that we need so desperately in these parts. Pray pray pray, right?
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You could be Sioux City, IA…they waited over 2 years for a new bishop.

Also keep in mind that the ‘vetting’ process is a lot deeper now, most attribute that to the abuse crisis…

There are other areas where Bishops have hit the magic 75 and not retired…or where large archdioceses are operating under their normal compliment of auxilaries (Chicago is getting one next week, but had been hoping for two…Detroit is at least one short…)
 
I don’t mind the waiting so much, because we have a wonderful monsignor running the day to day business of the Diocese. He presided at the Diocesan Mass for Life and is very involved in everything here. However, he is not a Bishop, and therefore has limited authority. Meanwhile, this area is gradually slipping. Catholic schools are closing at an amazing rate. Liturgical abuses abound. I guess it’s the same in many places with a Bishop. :rolleyes: I guess I am just praying for someone who will bring vitality back to Catholicism in this area. And it’s hard to wait.

The really hard part is wondering who we will finally get. We may not have been waiting as long as some other places, but I have a bit of an understanding about what they are going through.

I feel for you Sioux Falls!!
 
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legeorge:
I don’t mind the waiting so much, because we have a wonderful monsignor running the day to day business of the Diocese. He presided at the Diocesan Mass for Life and is very involved in everything here. However, he is not a Bishop, and therefore has limited authority. Meanwhile, this area is gradually slipping. Catholic schools are closing at an amazing rate. Liturgical abuses abound. I guess it’s the same in many places with a Bishop. :rolleyes: I guess I am just praying for someone who will bring vitality back to Catholicism in this area. And it’s hard to wait.

The really hard part is wondering who we will finally get. We may not have been waiting as long as some other places, but I have a bit of an understanding about what they are going through.

I feel for you Sioux Falls!!
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Oddly…the longer you have a vacant see…the more authority the diocesan administrator receives…once it clips over a year, the college of consultors can give him more to do.
 
How about a younger Bishop like Marquette, Michigan today! Looking good in the neighborhood!
 
FenceJumpers- yes, she is and yes she is our Director of Campus Ministries.

Where are you from in the SF Dio? Maybe send me a Private MEssage?

Talk later!

Oh- FromMi, et all- we have a bishop as administrator so we are sitting fairly well. I understood that without a bishop administrating, we could not have anyone ordained during the interregnum?
 
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bknebel:
Oh- FromMi, et all- we have a bishop as administrator so we are sitting fairly well. I understood that without a bishop administrating, we could not have anyone ordained during the interregnum?
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Actually…part of the reason for having an ‘apostolic administrator’ is so that things like ordinations can go on.

If you have an administrator running the diocese, he is under a strict adherence to the idea that ‘nothing new shall be started’. So basically, its status quo…he can’t appoint new pastors…he can only appoint ‘temporary administrators’ to the churches.

An apostolic administrator (in your case Bp. Aquila), has all the ordinary powers of governance…so he can ordain, change programs and procedures, etc.
 
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frommi:
Oddly…the longer you have a vacant see…the more authority the diocesan administrator receives…once it clips over a year, the college of consultors can give him more to do.
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That sounds encouraging. More authority on what kinds of things? I’m not conversant with all the specific rules and such on the local level.

I did joke with the Monsignor about him becoming our Bishop, but I don’t think he relishes the thought! 😉
 
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legeorge:
That sounds encouraging. More authority on what kinds of things? I’m not conversant with all the specific rules and such on the local level.

I did joke with the Monsignor about him becoming our Bishop, but I don’t think he relishes the thought! 😉
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After a year I believe the college of consultors can allow him to make canonical appointments (like pastors, associate pastors).
 
FromMi, glad to know that info! Having an excellent Apostolic Administrator like Bishop Aquila, we haven’t had to worry about that stuff. I do know though, that Bishop Carlson specifically requested Aquila for the fact that he wanted the Diocese to continue as normal.

Bishop Carlson even came back to do Priestly Ordinations this summer! Bishop Aquila ordained the Deacons the day before.
 
It’s also worth noting that the vacancy in Sioux Falls was more than likely “unexpected”…seeing as how Bishop Carlson was transferred to take the place of a bishop who died suddenly.

I think that slows the process down even more…it’s not like those situations where things can be anticipated.
 
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legeorge:
That sounds encouraging. More authority on what kinds of things? I’m not conversant with all the specific rules and such on the local level.

I did joke with the Monsignor about him becoming our Bishop, but I don’t think he relishes the thought! 😉
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I think he is too identified with the last bishop. Youngstown needs an orthodox outsider. Vasa would be fine(as if we could get him).
 
all good thoughts.

I do know also that the rumours are flying, as usual, but Easter is looking very promising. I’m not sure i mentioned, but I heard the rumour that a priest I know from a neighboring Diocese was asked…
 
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bknebel:
all good thoughts.

I do know also that the rumours are flying, as usual, but Easter is looking very promising. I’m not sure i mentioned, but I heard the rumour that a priest I know from a neighboring Diocese was asked…
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If you hear a rumor…assume its not true…I mean it could end up true…but no one knows who is asked…except for the person who is asked and the person who does the asking
 
of course, FromMi. Rumours are just that, Rumours. I do trust the source, though. It is a priest that is close to the Bishop here that told me the news, ahem ‘rumours’.

I am not going to put all my trust in them, but the Holy Father, his Nuncio and all those involved will make the right decisions and may i be ‘pleasantly surprised.’

We have a fairly orthodox diocese here with very few liturgical abuses. I hope under a new bishop, we can continue to be as lucky.
 
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