The Role of the Papal Nuncio

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My understanding is that it s a “diplomatic” post, as in he represents the intrests of Vatican City, and that he acts as a liason between the territory he covers and the Holy See.

This understanding comes from what I have learned since my diocese has become “sede vacante”. Apparently the Apostolic Nuncio plays a part in the search for the new Ordinary. In this case the USCCB submits a list of names to he nuncio, who then will cull them down to 3 names, that will then to the Holy Father where he can do one of 3 things- appoint one of the 3, tell the AN to go back, consult some more with the territorial authority and come back with 3 new names, or appoint someone else of his own choosing.
 
Oneofthewomen said:
My understanding is that it s a “diplomatic” post, as in he represents the intrests of Vatican City, and that he acts as a liason between the territory he covers and the Holy See.

This understanding comes from what I have learned since my diocese has become “sede vacante”. Apparently the Apostolic Nuncio plays a part in the search for the new Ordinary. In this case the USCCB submits a list of names to he nuncio, who then will cull them down to 3 names, that will then to the Holy Father where he can do one of 3 things- appoint one of the 3, tell the AN to go back, consult some more with the territorial authority and come back with 3 new names, or appoint someone else of his own choosing.
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I knew the Papal Nuncio was essentially the Vatican Ambassador and also acts as a liaison between the Vatican and the respective bishops conferences, but I didn’t know they had that much to do with selection of bishops. I thought that was the primary role of Congregation for Bishop and never really thought of how the names were forwarded to them. You learn something new every day. 😃
 
I’ve heard that when The Holy Father has decided to make a priest a bishop, it is the Papal Nuncio that calls that priest and tells him of the Pope’s decision.
 
And, the AN usually is present at the actual ordination/installation of the new bishop, or so I have seen it in recent years.
 
To be an ambassador and to give bishop recommendations.
 
Irish_Cabbie said:
I’ve heard that when The Holy Father has decided to make a priest a bishop, it is the Papal Nuncio that calls that priest and tells him of the Pope’s decision.
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Yes, this is correct. He is also the one who makes the phone call when a Bishop’s resignation has been accepted by the Holy See
 
Thanks for the informative replies. 🙂 I should have said Apostolic Nuncio. Mea culpa.
 
YoungTradCath said:
To be an ambassador and to give bishop recommendations.
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Correct. He is the voice of the Holy See to the secular government as a diplomatic posting.

He is also the aggregator of recommendations for ordination to Episcopal Orders.

The local bishop will submit a list of potential candidates for consecration as bishop. The Papal Nuncio will review the list, do some background research on the potential candidates and forward that to Rome, specifically the Congregation for Bishops.

When the need arises for a new bishop, the Congregation will submit a list along with recommendations on the part of the Congregation for Bishops and the local Nuncio. The Holy Father will then choose from the list based off of those recommendations ( almost always the case). The Holy Father can, of course, choose any candidate he likes, but in practice, it is based on the list compiled by the Nuncio and the Congregation of Bishops.

So the Nuncio has one of the strongest voices in the selection of bishops within a country.
 
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