If a diocese has multiple bisops attatched

[Brain]

I would assume that if a diocese has multiple bishops (archbishop + auxiulliaries and possibly emeriti), they would all show up for very solemn liturgical evens, such as an ordination or the concecration of nuns.

That said, is it polite/acceptable or even possible for an ordinand to request that a specific one of his bishops actually be the one to lay hands on him? It woudl not be in any way to shun the others and the others still would lay hands as per the rubirc, but i am talking having the sacrament initially performed by a specific bishop who would be present anyway. This is because i am discerning a vocation and i was kind of musing about it and was thinking that though the archbishop of seattle is a very holy man, and the mark of orders doesnt rely at all on who the minister is, i still would like (if he is still here) when/if i am ordained to have the actual laying on of hands and/or anointings to be done by Bish Elizando, as whever i see him and the few times i have spoken with him, i am struck with wonder and awe. The guy is immensely holy, and so i though it would be cool to be ordained by him.

Obviously this will not affect my decision at all (as if having a vocation is my decison to make. the real desicion is to obey or not to obey with the call or lack thereof). i just thought it would be cool.

 

[SMHW]

Brain:

I would assume that if a diocese has multiple bishops (archbishop + auxiulliaries and possibly emeriti), they would all show up for very solemn liturgical evens, such as an ordination or the concecration of nuns.

While I’m sure there are such events, I don’t think that liturgies with more than one bishop are as common as you think they might be. And I’m not so sure ordinations would be likely candidates for such events. As such, you may not have a choice.

But I could be wrong and in fact it is normal for multiple bishops to concelebrate where you live.

 

[mosher]

I the event of ordination no you will not have that choice however at the recception of vows in a religious order if it is done by a bishop and not the superior of the order then you may have a choice if your community allows it. The exception to this is that in the reception of Holy Orders one has the right to petition the Holy Father to ordian them however this is not often done. The reason for this is because when you are ordianed you are vowing obedience to a particular bishop or order and generally the only time that a person takes the stead of the one you are actually vowing obedience to is when it is not possible and another bishop has to do it by proxy.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

Because one is ordained for the diocese the ordinary of that diocese is, normally, the one to do the ordination. If, for some reason, he is impeded then he delegates that to an auxiliary bishop. Generally one does not get to choose who will be doing the ordination.

Mosher: when the pope ordains someone the promise of obedience is to the pope, to the bishop under whom the man will serve and to their successors. It’s a slight variation on the promise that is made when the local ordinary delegates another to ordain in his place. The the question is “Do you promise obedience to (Arch)Bishop N. and his successors?”

Deacon Ed

 

[mosher]

Deacon Ed:

Because one is ordained for the diocese the ordinary of that diocese is, normally, the one to do the ordination. If, for some reason, he is impeded then he delegates that to an auxiliary bishop. Generally one does not get to choose who will be doing the ordination.

Mosher: when the pope ordains someone the promise of obedience is to the pope, to the bishop under whom the man will serve and to their successors. It’s a slight variation on the promise that is made when the local ordinary delegates another to ordain in his place. The the question is “Do you promise obedience to (Arch)Bishop N. and his successors?”

Deacon Ed

Right, perhaps I was not clear in my post in making a clear difference between the mode of obedience cited. Thank you for making it clear.

 

[Michael_AMDG]

While it is true that they will probably all be there for priestly ordinations, I am not sure if this is also true for diaconate ordinations or religious vows.

When it comes to priestly ordinations, however, you are taking a vow of obedience to the Archbishop, and through him, his auxiliaries. (This actually happens at the Diaconate ordination, but I wont get too technical) This is why the Archbishop is the presider. The other auxiliaries will lay hands on you, but the primary relationship is between you and the Archbishop, not the auxiliaries. It is only through him that they have authority. It is he who is the head of the local Church. This is why as part of the Eucharistic prayers we cite two people - the pope, by which the entire Church is united, and the local bishop or Archbishop - by which the local Church is united. You don’t need to include the auxiliaries even. The only time when it might happen is if the Archbishop can’t make it - which would be a rare occaision - in which case it wouldn’t be your request that mattered.

The bottom line - I don’t think it will be possible if you are referring to priestly ordinations. I could be wrong, however. But when that day comes, God - willing, there will be much bigger things than who you prefer to be ordained by.