How are Bishops Chosen?

[slewi]

Hi all!

How is the bishop and auxiliary bishops for a diocese chosen? From the diocesan priests or monsignors? Or from the fellows at the chancery?

S

 

[Brendan]

For the Roman Church, each Bishop of a diocese is expecet to regularly submit names of priest that he considers good men to be ordained as bishops. How and what qualifications that bishop would use are up to him.

A Bishop could only nominate Monsignors if he so wanted, or he could choose other criteria.

Those names are submitted to the Papal Nuncio, the Pope’s Official represtative to a country.

The Papal Nuncio with compile additional information about the men nominated and forward that information, potentially along with his recommendations, to the Holy Father.

The Holy Father, often with further consultation, will name bishops as he sees fit.

Needless to say, the Holy Father is under no obligation to use anyone’s recommendations, but operates using the supreme authority of his Office.

There is a seperate process for the Eastern Churches.

 

[slewi]

Nice. Thanks!

S

 

[bear06]

Brendan:

For the Roman Church, each Bishop of a diocese is expecet to regularly submit names of priest that he considers good men to be ordained as bishops. How and what qualifications that bishop would use are up to him.

A Bishop could only nominate Monsignors if he so wanted, or he could choose other criteria.

Those names are submitted to the Papal Nuncio, the Pope’s Official represtative to a country.

The Papal Nuncio with compile additional information about the men nominated and forward that information, potentially along with his recommendations, to the Holy Father.

The Holy Father, often with further consultation, will name bishops as he sees fit.

Needless to say, the Holy Father is under no obligation to use anyone’s recommendations, but operates using the supreme authority of his Office.

There is a seperate process for the Eastern Churches.

Actually, somewhere in between there is the Congregation of Bishops (or for the Bishops). I know they have something to do with the process. When the CD was sent to Rome regarding the abuses in our diocese, a priest from the Congregation approached one of our members and told them that was the most helpful thing they had ever had in presenting potential bishops to the Pope.

 

[Brendan]

bear06:

Actually, somewhere in between there is the Congregation of Bishops (or for the Bishops). I know they have something to do with the process. When the CD was sent to Rome regarding the abuses in our diocese, a priest from the Congregation approached one of our members and told them that was the most helpful thing they had ever had in presenting potential bishops to the Pope.

That was part of the "with further consultation’

Yes, I am positive that respective department of the Congregration for the Bishops provides a significant amount of (name removed by moderator)ut, both in determining need for new bishops, and for the selection of new bishops.

Other resouces would include any bishops from a particular country that currently work in the Vatican. I’m postivie someone like Cardinal Szoka, the current COO of the Vatican State and former Archbishop of Detroit has had significant (name removed by moderator)ut into the appointment of bishops in the US. And I bet the same is true for other Cardinals from other countries.

 

[AltarMan]

Fascinating.

I wonder who will replace Bp. Sylvester Ryan of the Diocese of Monterey, California?

It past years it was almost a fait accompli that an auxilliary bishop from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (head of the ecclesiastical province) would fill the slot.

With a real need for reform, with Mahony’s waning political power and with the appointments of Pope Benedict XVI and ABp. William Levada (a former Mahony underling) it might well be someone from outside the archdiocese, thanks be to God…

 

[Brendan]

Fascinating.

I wonder who will replace Bp. Sylvester Ryan of the Diocese of Monterey, California?

It past years it was almost a fait accompli that an auxilliary bishop from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (head of the ecclesiastical province) would fill the slot.

With a real need for reform, with Mahony’s waning political power and with the appointments of Pope Benedict XVI and ABp. William Levada (a former Mahony underling) it might well be someone from outside the archdiocese, thanks be to God…

Well, Oakland’s Bishop Vigneron didn’t come from CA, but from Detroit (can anyone one say ‘+Szoka’). One might hope that something similar happens for Monterey.

 

[bear06]

Brendan:

Well, Oakland’s Bishop Vigneron didn’t come from CA, but from Detroit (can anyone one say ‘+Szoka’). One might hope that something similar happens for Monterey.

And I thank God everyday for stealing him away from you all! We always think that the Vatican is aware of exactly what happens here. I know they had many letters from our diocese but they have no idea who to trust. Showing them plain facts without the added commentary is the way to go.

 

[AltarMan]

Brendan:

Well, Oakland’s Bishop Vigneron didn’t come from CA, but from Detroit (can anyone one say ‘+Szoka’). One might hope that something similar happens for Monterey.

That would be WONDERFUL!

 

[AltarMan]

bear06:

And I thank God everyday for stealing him away from you all! We always think that the Vatican is aware of exactly what happens here. I know they had many letters from our diocese but they have no idea who to trust. Showing them plain facts without the added commentary is the way to go.

I will suggest that if Vigneron does well in Oakland, that he will be a front-runner to replace Mahony in 2011.

 

[bear06]

AltarMan:

I will suggest that if Vigneron does well in Oakland, that he will be a front-runner to replace Mahony in 2011.

I’m afraid it’ll take a lot longer to dig us out of the mess we’re in than 5 years. I do hope that he will be elevated. He’s a wonderful shepherd. Hopefully he won’t have a stroke living here.