H
HailHolyQueen90
Guest
Can a foreigner become an Archbishop of a diocese. For example, if a man from Brazil went to San Salvador to be a Priest, could he ever become Archbishop of San Salvador?
- Status
C
Cristiano
Guest
H
Hesychios
Guest
Yes. The Pope can name whomever he feels necessary, and transfer bishops from one particular church to another.
If a priest becomes incardinated into a particular church he may rise in that church to any office, regardless of his place of birth, in the same manner as a native because he is currently a member of that local church. Church history is full of such examples, but it is much more common in what the church at Rome considers ‘mission’ territories.
This is not to say that the Vatican will not try to find a native for the post, since it will sometimes be less troublesome. In other words, being born, raised and trained in a foreign country does not disqualify the person, but for political reasons he could be passed over for promotions. It is an impersonal management decision. One finds the same thing in business sometimes.
C
curlycool89
Guest
Practically speaking, it is usually a citizen of that country that will become a bishop of a diocese in that country. Otherwise you have to deal with things like citizenship and immigration (which can range from huge inconvenience to massive nightmare depending on the country).
In your example, it seems that this hypothetical priest has already immigrated to San Salvador, so it would be possible.
In your example, it seems that this hypothetical priest has already immigrated to San Salvador, so it would be possible.
M
MPat
Guest
Yes, a foreigner can become an Archbishop. And it is not just a theoretical possibility. For example, the Archbishop of Moscow is an Italian Paolo Pezzi. Before him the Archbishop of Moscow was a Pole from Belarus Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Archdiocese_of_Moscow).
F
Friar_David_O.Carm
Guest
A priest need not be incardinated into a diocese to be named its bishop.
L
LilyM
Guest
Well, given the fact that numerous Bishops of Rome (Popes) have been non-Italians, and Rome is in Italy, I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions 
H
Hesychios
Guest
Hi brother,
And being incardinated makes one a part of the local church, regardless of place of origin.
I agree.
And being incardinated makes one a part of the local church, regardless of place of origin.
- Status