FSSP Election

[Clevus]

Can a FSSP priest attain to Bishop or Archbishop? Have any yet?

Thanks

 

[ctb95]

Yes. The FSSP is a society of apostolic life and priests from other societies of apostolic life such as Oratorians and Maryknoll have achieved the office of bishop. However, I do not believe that FSSP priests have been made bishop at this time.

 

[katy]

Yes. The FSSP is a society of apostolic life and priests from other societies of apostolic life such as Oratorians and Maryknoll have achieved the office of bishop. However, I do not believe that FSSP priests have been made bishop at this time.

Unfortunately.

 

[commenter]

Yes. The FSSP is a society of apostolic life and priests from other societies of apostolic life such as Oratorians and Maryknoll have achieved the office of bishop. However, I do not believe that FSSP priests have been made bishop at this time.

Ok…
Are there any examples or categories of (communities, societies or other groups similar to religious orders), of Catholic priests which specifically are excluded by canon law from becoming bishops, or who have permanently made that selection impossible for their any of their members?

My understanding is that if a “regular” that is non-diocesan priest becomes a bishop, he essentially is on leave from administrative duties of his community. Jesuit bishops have superiors nor are they superiors. But Jesuits are not prevented from becoming bishops.

 

[ctb95]

Ok…
Are there any examples or categories of (communities, societies or other groups similar to religious orders), of Catholic priests which specifically are excluded by canon law from becoming bishops, or who have permanently made that selection impossible for their any of their members?

My understanding is that if a “regular” that is non-diocesan priest becomes a bishop, he essentially is on leave from administrative duties of his community. Jesuit bishops have superiors nor are they superiors. But Jesuits are not prevented from becoming bishops.

I know there are religious orders where members may not seek promotion, such as the Rosminians. However, I don’t know if any orders ban their members from becoming bishops.

Monastic orders that do not ordain any priests by default cannot have bishops, such as the Brigittine monks.

 

[Chatter163]

Considering that bishops are appointed by the Holy Father, it would not be possible for an order or community to prevent a priest member from following the papal decree. Therefore, an order will not have a specific rule in place prohibiting the episcopate for its members. If the Holy Father wishes for a specific priest to become a bishop, the order will not stand in his way.

That said, while many orders are represented within the episcopate, there are some that are unlikely, given their situation. FSSP would be one, because its priests celebrate the EF more or less exclusively, and such an appointment would pose great challenges on a daily basis for the bishop.

 

[ctb95]

That said, while many orders are represented within the episcopate, there are some that are unlikely, given their situation. FSSP would be one, because its priests celebrate the EF more or less exclusively, and such an appointment would pose great challenges on a daily basis for the bishop.

Yes, that is a good point. And, it’s unlikely that we will see any bishops come from the FSSP. However, eastern-rite priests have been made bishops of western-rite dioceses, so it isn’t unheard of.