Hi -
Does anyone know whether religious order priests (i.e., non-diocesan) can be elevated to bishops and cardinals? From what I can tell, this does happen (e.g., Boston Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley is a Capuchin friar) – but how common is it? It seems rather rare. And how is it usually done? Do religious order superiors make recommendations to Rome just like local bishops do?
Thank you very much!
Here’s the Roman Canon Law on the matter:
Can. 377 §1. The Supreme Pontiff freely appoints bishops or confirms those legitimately elected.
§2. At least every three years, bishops of an ecclesiastical province or, where circumstances suggest it, of a conference of bishops, are in common counsel and in secret to compose a list of presbyters, even including members of institutes of consecrated life, who are more suitable for the episcopate. They are to send it to the Apostolic See, without prejudice to the right of each bishop individually to make known to the Apostolic See the names of presbyters whom he considers worthy of and suited to the episcopal function.
§3. Unless it is legitimately established otherwise, whenever a diocesan or coadjutor bishop must be appointed, as regards what is called the ternus to be proposed to the Apostolic See, the pontifical legate is to seek individually and to communicate to the Apostolic See together with his own opinion the suggestions of the metropolitan and suffragans of the province to which the diocese to be provided for belongs or with which it is joined in some grouping, and the suggestions of the president of the conference of bishops. The pontifical legate, moreover, is to hear some members of the college of consultors and cathedral chapter and, if he judges it expedient, is also to seek individually and in secret the opinion of others from both the secular and non-secular clergy and from laity outstanding in wisdom.
§4. Unless other provision has been legitimately made, a diocesan bishop who judges that an auxiliary should be given to his diocese is to propose to the Apostolic See a list of at least three presbyters more suitable for this office.
§5. In the future, no rights and privileges of election, nomination, presentation, or designation of bishops are granted to civil authorities.
Can. 378 §1. In regard to the suitability of a candidate for the episcopacy, **it is required that he is:
1/ outstanding in solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence, and human virtues, and endowed with other qualities which make him suitable to fulfill the office in question;
2/ of good reputation;
3/ at least thirty-Five years old;
4/ ordained to the presbyterate for at least Five years;
5/ in possession of a doctorate or at least a licentiate in sacred scripture, theology, or canon law from an institute of higher studies approved by the Apostolic See, or at least truly expert in the same disciplines. **
§2. The definitive judgment concerning the suitability of the one to be promoted pertains to the Apostolic See.
(Emphasis mine)
vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P1D.HTM
In the Eastern Churches in Union with Rome, most add one more requirement: not encumbered by marriage. (Either celibate, widowed, or rarely, with a living spouse retired to a women’s monastery.) Several restrict it further: monastic celibate priests. (As opposed to Monastic Widower priests…)
Here’s the CCEO canons (Canon Law for the Eastern Churches in Union with Rome)
Canon 180
In order for a person to be considered suitable for the episcopate, it is required that he:
(1) demonstrate solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls and prudence;
(2) enjoy a good reputation;
(3) not be bound by a matrimonial bond;
(4) be at least thirty-five years old;
(5) ordained a presbyter for at least five years;
(6) possess a doctorate or licentiate in some sacred science or at least be an expert in it.
Canon 182
- Candidates suitable for the episcopate can be proposed only by members of the synod of bishops of the patriarchal Church who can, according to the norm of particular law, collect information and documents which are necessary to establish the suitability of the candidates, hearing, if they think it appropriate, secretly and individually, certain presbyters or also other Christian faithful outstanding in prudence and Christian life.
- The bishops are to report their findings to the patriarch at a suitable time prior to the convocation of the synod of bishops of the patriarchal Church. The patriarch, if the case warrants it, adding his own additional information, transmits the matter to all the members of the synod.
- Unless particular law approved by the Roman Pontiff states otherwise, the synod of bishops of the patriarchal Church is to examine the names of the candidates and compile a list of the candidates by secret ballot, which is to be transmitted through the patriarch to the Apostolic See to obtain the assent of the Roman Pontiff.
- The assent of the Roman Pontiff once given for an individual candidate is valid until it has been explicitly revoked, in which case the name of the candidate is to be removed from the list.
intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_P50.HTM
intratext.com/IXT/ENG1199/_P52.HTM
Romans pass the list on to the Pope. Easterner Synods maintain local lists, elect the new bishop, then ask for Papal approval. Eastern Churches having no Synod (being a single bishop or less) are provide a list to Rome for use when the time comes.
For Romans, it’s explicit: The bishops may recommend members of religious orders and societies.
