Electing bishops/popes

[dochawk]

I knew the cardinals were elected by the Pope, but I did not know (although it makes sense if you think about it) he also elects all bishops. Thanks!

This is recent, though.

Prior to Vatican I, Rome had little, if any, role in the selection and approval of bishops outside ofItaly and North America.

Even today, the larger Eastern Catholic churches choose their own bishops and patriarch/major archbishop.

hawk

 

[KJW5551]

I would like to know more about this process…I know the outgoing Bishop will submit a few names to the Papal Nuncio, but what exactly happens from there? Because let’s be honest, the Pope doesn’t know these names at all. Who gives him more information about the potential Bishops? How is a final decision arrived at?

 

[dochawk]

It varies wildly.

For RC, he’ll get strong suggestions of candidates from the national conference or perhaps a smaller group, and decide.

For EC, it varies by the of church.

non suis juris and metropolitan church make suggestions, and Rome chooses (though the choice may be made in the Colonial Office, err, Congregation of the Oriental Church or some such, for him to approve).

Major archiepiscopal churches propose for ratification, while patriarchal churches simply inform.

And it’s anyone’s guess/argument which the Ukrainian church is at the moment: it is naming a patriarch, but Roman paper says major archbishop. The only reason Rome doesn’t say patriarchal is because the Russian Orthodox will blow a gasket or seven.

hawk