Confirmations in Interregnum

[Spirithound]

Who makes Confirmations during a diocesan interregnum?

 

[puzzleannie]

visiting bishops, or priest delegated by the bishop over that broader territory, for instance if we were without a bishop here, the bishop of Galveston-Houston would either come himself or delegate a priest of this diocese, usually the vicar general or chancellor, to confirm, or most likely, delegate authority to confirm their own parishioners to the pastors.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I would think that confirmation, like ordinations, are put on hold until a new bishop is appointed and ordained.

 

[Brendan]

I would think that confirmation, like ordinations, are put on hold until a new bishop is appointed and ordained.

Neither actually stop during periods of Diocesan interregium.

As mentioned, if a priest or priest was not delegated prior to the loss of the Ordinary, then the Diocesan Vicar may assign certain priests to Confirm.

As far as Ordinations, that is done by a neighboring bishop. Several diocese have been without bishops for multiple years, but worthy seminarians are not forced to wait to begin their service to the diocese.

With the approval of the Metropolitian, or in the case of the Metropolitian, the Papal Nuncio, another bishop may ordain in the name of the future bishop and recieve the vow of obedience.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Neither actually stop during periods of Diocesan interregium.

As mentioned, if a priest or priest was not delegated prior to the loss of the Ordinary, then the Diocesan Vicar may assign certain priests to Confirm.

As far as Ordinations, that is done by a neighboring bishop. Several diocese have been without bishops for multiple years, but worthy seminarians are not forced to wait to begin their service to the diocese.

With the approval of the Metropolitian, or in the case of the Metropolitian, the Papal Nuncio, another bishop may ordain in the name of the future bishop and recieve the vow of obedience.

Ok, so when it is the Metropolitian see that is open, what happens?

I know when the Metropolitian Eparchy of Pittsburgh was open following Metropolitian Judson’s death all ordinations were placed on hold until the new Metropolitian was seated.

 

[cameron_lansing]

There are two periods involved in an “interregnum.” In some sense, the response depends on which period is involved. I understand the question to presume the second period.

1. from the time that the episcopal see becomes vacant before a diocesan administrator is elected by the college of consultors or an apostolic administrator is appointed by the Holy See, and
2. the period from the time the administrator begins until the new ordinary is legitimately installed. (There are other permutations I avoid for simplicity, e.g., the existence of a coadjutor.)

According to the 2004 Directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops, the diocesan administrator may administer the sacrament and may delegate this faculty to another priest. See details about the vacant see, etc., at vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cbishops/documents/rc_con_cbishops_doc_20040222_apostolorum-successores_en.html#Appendix

Other than that, see cc. 882-883 and following. As noted, a priest with a mandate before the episcopal vacancy would retain it.

Vicars cannot delegate the faculty to confirm by virtue of office. The power is proper to the diocesan bishop in canon 883. It would be necessary, during an “interregnum”, that it had been delegated to them.

As a further note, when the see becomes vacant by death or accepted resignation and the vicars have received certain notice of this, they lose power attached to their offices, excepting the judicial vicar. See canons 416-417.

I have not had my coffee yet. As a result, I do not recall offhand that the metropolitan by virtue of office can issue dimissorial letters regarding ordination in a suffragan see. His power of governance is fairly limited. It is not in canons 436, 1018, which come to mind. Perhaps a citation of Church law would point me in the right direction even more than my morning coffee.

 

[bmadamsberry]

Ok, so when it is the Metropolitian see that is open, what happens?

I know when the Metropolitian Eparchy of Pittsburgh was open following Metropolitian Judson’s death all ordinations were placed on hold until the new Metropolitian was seated.

If there is a Metropolitian, then there is almost always an auxiliary Bishop.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

If there is a Metropolitian, then there is almost always an auxiliary Bishop.

Not in the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church. There are no auxiliary bishops at all.

Really I am not aware of any Byzantine Church with an auxiliary bishop in the States today, the Melkites had one but when the new bishop was announced the auxiliary retired.

 

[bmadamsberry]

Not in the Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic Church. There are no auxiliary bishops at all.

Really I am not aware of any Byzantine Church with an auxiliary bishop in the States today, the Melkites had one but when the new bishop was announced the auxiliary retired.

Sorry, I was referring to the Latin Rite.

 

[Catholicben]

I know in La Crosse, WI, where Archbishop Listeki was, our bishops here in Madison have done several large confirmations there, and I think others might have also gone to help.

 

[FrDavid96]

With regard to ordinations in a vacant or impeded see:
Canon 1018.1.1
The diocean administrator can issue dimissorial letters for secular clergy, but he needs consent from the college of consultors. See also 495, 501.

 

[FrDavid96]

Confirmation:

The diocesan administrator can administer confirmation.

Can. 883 The following possess the faculty of administering confirmation by the law itself:

1 within the boundaries of their jurisdiction, those who are equivalent in law to a diocesan bishop;

Can. 427 §1. A diocesan administrator is bound by the obligations and possesses the power of a diocesan bishop, excluding those matters which are excepted by their nature or by the law itself.

Edit: Ok, I missed it. That one was already answered.