Selection of Bishops

[SyroMalankara]

How do we as laymen let the Nuncio know we have an esteem for a particular Bishop to replace a retiring bishop? Is that even allowed? As an aside, Easterners seem to have more of a voice regarding these things.

 

[dans0622]

How do we as laymen let the Nuncio know we have an esteem for a particular Bishop to replace a retiring bishop? Is that even allowed? As an aside, Easterners seem to have more of a voice regarding these things.

Hello,

While canon 377.3 says the papal Legate (Nuncio), if he thinks it expedient, is to *seek *the opinion of lay persons “of outstanding wisdom”, there is nothing preventing you from sending a letter to him on your own accord and initiative.

Also, each Bishop is always free, and has a right, to make his own views known to the Holy See as far as who he thinks is a good, episcopal candidate (c. 377.2). So, you could also go that route–discuss the matter with a Bishop and see if he is willing to look into your recommendation and pass it along to the Holy See.

I doubt this is laid out anywhere but you can always send a letter to the Congregation for Bishops. Who knows where the letter would end up but I’m sure someone would read it.

Dan

 

[SyroMalankara]

Thanks Dano! Anyone have the Nuncio’s address or email?

 

[Joe_5859]

According to Wikipedia, Archbishop Vigano’s address is 3339 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, DC.

This is if you are talking about the Nuncio for the U.S. of course.

 

[malphono]

How do we as laymen let the Nuncio know we have an esteem for a particular Bishop to replace a retiring bishop? Is that even allowed?

If the subject is vacant (or soon to be vacant) Latin See, you could lobby another sitting bishop. Considering the way things work, it would probably have more effect than a blind letter to the Nuncio. If it’s an Oriental See, best to lobby a member of the Synod. Even the outgoing bishop himself since he retains his position in the Synod and can still nominate.

As an aside, Easterners seem to have more of a voice regarding these things.

Not that I’ve ever seen. In my experience, it’s actually quite the opposite.

 

[commenter]

Let me play the opposite hand here (I won’t say “the devil’s advocate”). Consider that the bishop you prefer might not be the bishop you need; in fact, very probably is not. We all tend to resist conversion, we all want to hear the spiritual direction that is familiar to our ears, continue down the same path. Maybe the best bishop is the unfamiliar one.

We live in a world dominated by the media. If the media wants to promote a Protestant or Catholic leader to a higher position of influence, they give him puff interviews, they quote him for a response as an expert when issues come up, they keep refer to him as brilliant, sensitive, and especially pastoral. If a religious leader is saying things the media does not like, they ignore him, or perhaps there appears little mentions that Fr. X is a hardliner, that his parishioners consider him out of touch, etc. etc. The media loves to get Catholics playing the political game, lobbying to get this or that bishop, or pastor, or pope. That way, if the guy we didn’t support gets in, we tend to regard him as the “other party’s candidate”, someone we should respect but not obey.

Better not to even inch down this dangerous road.

 

[Chatter163]

Let me play the opposite hand here (I won’t say “the devil’s advocate”). Consider that the bishop you prefer might not be the bishop you need; in fact, very probably is not. We all tend to resist conversion, we all want to hear the spiritual direction that is familiar to our ears, continue down the same path. Maybe the best bishop is the unfamiliar one.

We live in a world dominated by the media. If the media wants to promote a Protestant or Catholic leader to a higher position of influence, they give him puff interviews, they quote him for a response as an expert when issues come up, they keep refer to him as brilliant, sensitive, and especially pastoral. If a religious leader is saying things the media does not like, they ignore him, or perhaps there appears little mentions that Fr. X is a hardliner, that his parishioners consider him out of touch, etc. etc. The media loves to get Catholics playing the political game, lobbying to get this or that bishop, or pastor, or pope. That way, if the guy we didn’t support gets in, we tend to regard him as the “other party’s candidate”, someone we should respect but not obey.

Better not to even inch down this dangerous road.

:clapping: An excellent analysis!