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The ultimate decision in appointing bishops rests with the pope , and he is free to select anyone he chooses . But how does he know whom to select ?
The process for selecting candidates for the episcopacy normally begins at the diocesan level and works its way through a series of consultations until it reaches Rome . It is a process bound by strict confidentiality and involves a number of important players – the most influential being the apostolic nuncio , the Congregation for Bishops , and the pope . It can be a time consuming process , often taking eight months or more to complete . While there are distinctions between the first appointment of a priest as a bishop and a bishop ’ s later transfer to another diocese or his promotion to archbishop , the basic outlines of the process remain the same .
Key Terms
Apostolic nuncio - The pope ’ s representative to both the government and to the hierarchy of a given nation ; a key person in deciding what names are recommended to the Congregation for Bishops for possible episcopal appointment .
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Auxiliary Bishop - A bishop appointed to assist a diocesan bishop . Whether in a diocese or archdiocese , his title is bishop .
Coadjutor - A bishop appointed to a Catholic diocese or archdiocese to assist the diocesan bishop . Unlike an auxiliary bishop , he has the right of succession , meaning that he automatically becomes the new bishop when the diocesan bishop retires or dies . By canon law , he is also vicar general of the diocese . If the diocese is an archdiocese , he is called coadjutor archbishop instead of coadjutor bishop . In recent years , a growing number of U . S . bishops in larger dioceses or archdioceses have requested and received a coadjutor in their final year or two before their retirement , in order to familiarize their successor with the workings of the ( arch ) diocese before he has to take over the reins . This minimizes the learning curve of a new bishop and eliminates completely the possibility of the diocese being vacant following the old bishop ’ s retirement .
Congregation for Bishops - A department of the Roman Curia , headed by a Cardinal . The head of the Congregation
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, called the “ prefect ,” is presently Cardinal Marc Ouellet , a Canadian . Among the congregation ’ s responsibilities are moderating all aspects of episcopal appointments ; assisting bishops in the correct exercise of their pastoral functions ; handling ad limina visits ( regular visits to Rome by bishops every five years ); and establishing episcopal conferences and reviewing their decrees as required by canon law . Its membership consists of approximately 35 cardinals and archbishops from around the world . Current U . S . members of the Congregation are Cardinal William J . Levada , Prefect Emeritus of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith , and Cardinal Donald W . Wuerl , Archbishop of Washington .
Diocesan Bishop - Pastoral and legal head and representative of a diocese .
Province - A territory comprising one archdiocese , called the metropolitan see , and one or more dioceses , called suffragan sees . The Code of Canon Law spells out certain limited obligations and authority that the metropolitan archbishop has with respect to the dioceses within his province .
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The United States is divided into 33 ecclesiastical provinces .
Terna - A list of three candidates for a vacant office , including the office of bishop .
Stage 1 : Bishops ’ Recommendations
Every bishop may submit to the archbishop of his province the names of priests he thinks would make good bishops . Prior to the regular province meeting ( usually annually ), the archbishop distributes to all the bishops of the province the names and curricula vitae of priests which have been submitted to him . Following a discussion among the bishops at the province meeting , a vote is taken on which names to recommend . The number of names on this provincial list may vary . The vote tally , together with the minutes of the meeting , is then forwarded by the archbishop to the apostolic nuncio in Washington . The list is also submitted to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops ( USCCB ).
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