How do they choose our bishops anyways?
The hierarchy of the Catholic Church can be pretty confusing at times. The hierarchy of the church is relatively straight-forward, pope at the top, with different leadership roles in the Church from there on down. When choosing a bishop, the pope could technically choose any man he wanted. However, the pope tends to follow a procedure including recommendations and the pope sending a representative, the apostolic nuncio to the diocese to better understand what that particular diocese needs. Through this, the pope will make his final decision about who will be in charge.
Back up, what is an "apostolic nuncio" exactly?
He literally the pope's representative in proceedings to choose a bishop, kind of like the VP to a the Pope's P, and is a sort of gatekeeper. His role is very serious, and treated with a lot of respect. He gathers facts and information about the suggested candidates as well as interprets the information. He will then draft a list of the three best candidates in alphabetical order. This list is called the terna and it is presented to the Congregation of Bishops in-
Wait! What's the Congregation of Bishops?
It is a department of the Roman Curia (those who help the pope in Rome) which is led by cardinal with the title of "prefect". Presently, Cardinal Mark Ouellet is the prefect. The Curia assists diocesan bishops, oversees doctrine on canon law, and plans conferences and meetings between Rome and priests all over the world.
So the apostolic nuncio gives the terna to the Congregation of Bishops and...?
And if the prefect approves the terna, they move forward. If they have settled on a bishop being moved or an auxiliary bishop being promoted, they don't need to involve the entire congregation. If not, the entire congregation gathers to hear the report and vote. They can vote in accordance with the apostolic nuncio, they can choose another individual from the terna, or they can call for another one to be prepared, dissatisfied with the options. The individual that they eventually choose is their suggested candidate to the pope, but again, the pope doesn't have to agree and follow their suggestions.
So now the pope gets to decide?
Exactly, the prefect will go to the pope and present the recommendation of the congregation. The pope will take a few days to make a final decision, The pope will tell the nuncio who he has chosen, and the nuncio will reach out to the selected individual, giving him an opportunity to say yes or no. If he says yes, the Vatican is notified and a date is set for ordination or installation, depending on if he is a new bishop or being moved/promoted.
Our new bishop was promoted, right?
Right, he was an auxiliary bishop is an additional bishop assigned to help to a diocese because the bishop needs help. His title is still bishop.
So when does he start?
June 1st at 2:00 pm, he will be installed at St. Agnes Cathedral. It's a really cool ceremony-you should go and welcome our new bishop!
Be sure to keep him in your prayers as he gets ready for the move and change in life.
Tota tua.
Want to know more about our new bishop? According to press reports, he intends to make the youth of the diocese one of his main focuses (yay! camp!) and he's been described as a pastor first, who carries the joy of Christ with him through daily ministry. And he described himself as humbled by this opportunity to serve as our bishop.
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