Bishops

[mommy]

Now that we’ve all studied how a new pope is chosen, I was wondering, How is a Bishop chosen? Do they retire as a Bishop or are you Bishop until you die? What is the process for replacing a Bishop?

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Bishops are appointed by the Vatican, I believe.
As an example, my current bishop, Kenneth Angell, of the Diocese of Burlington, turns 75 in August of this year. Bishops are required to submit their resignations to the Vatican at some time during the year before they turn 75. (Currently there is one bishop I’m aware of who was supposed to send in his resignation in March, and they’re unsure as to whether or not he actually did, as there has been no new bishop announced). The Pope accepted Bishop Angell’s resignation which will occur in August, and he assigned us a new bishop elect, Monsignor Salvatore Matano, who will be consecrated a bishop later this month, become the auxillary or co-bishop from then until Bishop Angell’s retirement in August, and then will be the new bishop.

Bishops CAN serve in just one diocese until their retirement (and since bishops have been made in their early 40s, that could be some 30 years), but they often serve in more than one. Bishop Angell was stationed in Providence, RI and also in Rome before he came to Burlington in 1992, so he’s been here 13 years. Bishop-elect Matano is also from Providence and has also served in Rome.

Hope this answers some of your questions. Bishop Angell will be known as former Bishop of Burlington–he doesn’t get bumped back down to “Father”.

 

[puzzleannie]

there are three orders to which men can be ordained, deacon, priest, and bishop, which is the fullest expression of the sacrament of ordination. a bishop is a bishop for life. his elevation to bishop is decided by the pope, who usually is advised by the bishops of a country on whom to choose. his assignment depends on the needs of the church, and can of course change. as we saw, the Pope’s last official action was to appoint and reassign several bishops. Bishops can retire from their assignments, indeed there is a mandatory retirement age, but remain bishop for life.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

For the consideration of a replacement the Pope who appoints new Bishops receives suggestions from the retiring Bishop and from other Bishops and the Metropolitan. They are forwarded to the Apostolic Nuncio, who forwards them on to the Congregation for Bishops. They in turn put a list together with necessary information on each priest and give it to the Pope who then decides.