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Archdiocese of Hartford
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THE HALLOWED HISTORY CONTINUES: THE INSTALLATION OF ARCHBISHOP HENRY J. MANSELL 4TH ARCHBISHOP OF HARTFORD |
WHAT IS AN ARCHBISHOP?
Historical Origin
Qualifications to Be a Bishop
Appointment Process
The Role & Responsibilities of a Diocesan Bishop
(From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
A residential Archbishop or Metropolitan, in the present sense of the term, is a Bishop who governs an Archdiocese strictly his own, while he presides at the same time over the Bishops of a well-defined district composed of simple Dioceses but not of Provinces. Hence none of these subordinate Bishops rule over others. These Bishops are called the Suffragans or Comprovincials. The Archbishop's own Diocese is the Archdiocese. The several Dioceses of the district form the Metropolitan or Province.
Some writers wrongly point to Sts. Timothy and Titus, the disciples of St. Paul, as the first Archbishops in the Church. Probably they were Metropolitans in the wider sense of the term, one for Asia Minor, and the other for the island of Crete. But it remains impossible to assign the exact date when Archbishops, as we now use the term, were first appointed. It is true that Metropolitans are mentioned as a well-known institution in the Church by the Council of Nicaea (325) in its fourth, fifth and sixth canons, and by the Council of Antioch (341) whose seventh canon is a classical passage in this matter. It reads: "The Bishops of every province must be aware that the Bishop presiding in the metropolis has charge of the whole province; because all who have business come together from all quarters to the metropolis. For this reason it is decided that he should, according to the ancient and recognized canon of our fathers, do nothing beyond what concerns their respective Dioceses and the districts belonging thereto." But, it cannot be denied that even at this period the term "Metropolitan" was used indiscriminately for all higher ranks above the simple episcopate. It was thus applied also to patriarchs and primates. The same must be said of the term "Archbishop," which does not occur in the present meaning before the sixth century, although the office of Archbishop or Metropolitan in the stricter sense, indicating a hierarchical rank above the ordinary Bishops but below the primate and patriarch, was already substantially the same in the fifth century as it is today. A peculiar condition obtained in Africa, where the arch-episcopal office was not attached to a certain see, the metropolis, but where it always devolved upon the senior Bishop of the Province, whatever See he might occupy. He was called "the First or Chief Bishop," or also "the Bishop of the First or Chief See."1
Qualifications to Be a Bishop:
Canon 378, para. 1-2 of the Code of Canon Law states:
In regard to the suitability of a candidate for the episcopacy, it is required that he be:
outstanding in solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence, and other human virtues, and endowed with other qualities which make him suitable to fulfill the office in question;
of good reputation;
at least thirty-five years old;
ordained to the presbyterate for at least five years;
in possession of a Doctorate or at least a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture, Theology, or Canon Law from an institute of higher studies approved by the Apostolic See, or at least truly an expert in the same disciplines.
The definitive judgment concerning the suitability of the one to be promoted pertains to the Apostolic See.
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 participants—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.
I. Bishop's 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 may vary. The Archbishop then forwards the vote tally, together with the minutes of the meeting, to the Apostolic Nuncio in Washington. The list is also submitted to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
II. The Apostolic Nuncio
By overseeing the final list of names forwarded to Rome, the Apostolic Nuncio plays a decisive role in the selection process. He not only gathers facts and information about potential candidates, but also interprets that information for the Congregation. Great weight is given to the Nuncio's recommendations, but it is important to remember that his "gatekeeper" role does not require that his recommendations always be followed.
III. Congregation for Bishops
Once all the documentation from the Nuncio is complete and in order, and the Prefect approves, the process moves forward. If the appointment involves a Bishop who is being promoted or transferred, the Prefect and the staff may handle the matter. If, however, the appointment is of a priest to the episcopacy, the full Congregation is ordinarily involved.
A Cardinal Relator is chosen to summarize the documentation and make a report to the full Congregation, which generally meets twice a month on Thursdays. After hearing the Cardinal Relator’s report, the Congregation discusses the appointment and then votes. The Congregation may follow the recommendation of the Nuncio, choose another of the candidates on the terna, or even ask that another terna be prepared.
IV. The Pope Decides
At a private audience with the Pope, usually on a Saturday, the Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops presents the recommendations of the Congregation to the Holy Father. A few days later, the Pope informs the Congregation of his decision. The Congregation then notifies the Nuncio, who in turn contacts the candidate and asks if he will accept. If the answer is "yes," the Vatican is notified and a date is set for the announcement.
It often takes six to eight months—and sometimes longer—from the time a Diocese becomes vacant until a new Bishop is appointed.2
The Role & Responsibilities of a Diocesan Bishop:
A Diocesan Bishop is not simply an appointed figurehead, but rather an active participant of the Diocese for which he serves. Bishops, who by divine institution succeed to the place of the Apostles through the Holy Spirit, are constituted pastors in the Church, so that they are teachers of doctrine, priests of sacred worship, and ministers of governance.3 In this way, it is the Bishop's responsibility to care for the community of his Diocese much like a good shepherd guides his flock.
The Diocesan Bishop is to have special pastoral concern for Catholics, other Christians, and the unbaptized (c. 383), and is to attend to presbyters with special solicitude (c. 384). He is to foster vocations to ministry and consecrated life, with special care for priestly and missionary vocations (c. 385).
He is to preach frequently and to oversee all aspects of the ministry of the word in the Diocese (c. 386). He is to be a good example and to promote the holiness of all the faithful, especially through the Celebration of the Sacraments (c. 387).
He must offer the Missa pro populo (Mass for the people) on the prescribed days (c. 388) and should frequently preside at Masses in the cathedral and other churches, especially on holy days and solemnities (c. 389). He performs pontifical functions throughout the Diocese (390).
The Diocesan Bishop governs the Diocese with legislative power (always to be exercised personally), executive power (shared especially with his vicars general and episcopal vicars; it is simply delegated to others, such as chancellors and vice-chancellors), and judicial power (shared with his judicial vicar and judges) (c. 391).
He is to promote universal church discipline and to guard against abuses (c. 392). He represents the Diocese in all juridic affairs (c. 393).
The Diocesan Bishop is to foster and coordinate the works of the apostolate, and to urge the faithful to assume their proper roles in it (c. 394).
He is to reside in the Diocese and not be absent for lengthy periods of time (c. 395) and to make pastoral visitations throughout the Diocese (cc. 396-398).
He presents the quinquennial report to the Holy See (c. 399) on the occasion of his ad limina visit (c. 400).
The Diocesan Bishop is to offer his resignation at age seventy-five, or earlier if he is burdened by ill health or another limiting factor (c. 401). He then becomes Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese and may maintain residence therein; the Diocese is responsible to provide for his retirement, under the caring oversight of the episcopal conference (c. 402).4 The role of a Metropolitan has limited additional responsibilities concerning his ecclesiastical province.
Canon 436, para. 1.1-1.3 of the Code of Canon Law states that: the Archbishop presides over the Suffragan Diocese in the following instances:
1. to exercise vigilance so that the faith and ecclesiastical discipline are observed carefully and to inform the Roman Pontiff of abuses, if there are any;
2. to conduct a canonical visitation for a cause previously approved by the Apostolic See if a Suffragan has neglected it;
3. to designate a Diocesan Administrator.
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