Can we name a diocesan administrator?
From a previous edition of The Lumen: Canon Corner
by Father David Esquiliano
Judicial Vicar Cathedral Parish pastor Can we name a diocesan administrator? On Jan. 16, 2004, it was announced that then Bishop Daniel DiNardo had been named Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston. He remained in our diocese until March 26 of the same year, when he moved to Texas to begin his new assignment. On March 30 the Diocesan College of consultors met and elected Msgr. Roger Augustine as diocesan administrator. He would remain in that role until Bishop Walker Nickless came to Sioux City in January 2006. Some of the faithful that lived through that transition have been wondering why we have not named a diocesan administrator months after Bishop Nickless submitted his resignation. To answer this question, I will explain what a diocesan administrator is, which will help us understand why none has been named or elected. The first thing we need to understand is who is responsible for a diocese. Canon 369 defines a diocese as “a portion of the people of God which is entrusted to a bishop for him to shepherd.” As we can see, a bishop is in charge of a diocese as a general rule. Occasionally, though, a diocese loses its bishop. Canon 416 reads, “An episcopal see is vacant upon the death of a diocesan bishop, resignation accepted by the Roman Pontiff, transfer, or privation made known to the bishop.” In those cases, there is no diocesan bishop to run shepherd the diocese, so that responsibility falls on someone else. Canon 419 states who is in charge when a diocese becomes vacant, “When a see is vacant and until the designation of a diocesan administrator, the governance of a diocese devolves upon the auxiliary bishop or, if there are several, upon the one who is senior in promotion. If there is no auxiliary bishop, however, it devolves upon the college of consultors unless the Holy See has provided otherwise.” Notice there is an expectation that a diocesan administrator will oversee the diocese until a new bishop is named. In the interim there is a hierarchical list of who will be responsible to manage the diocese, starting with an auxiliary bishop, or when there is none, the college of consultors has the responsibility. In some cases, The Holy See names an administrator when a diocese becomes vacant. So, if a diocesan administrator is to govern the diocese, how is he elected? I previously addressed the lengthy process to name a new bishop in Canon Corner, but the process to name an administrator is different. Canon 421 §1 states, “The college of consultors must elect a diocesan administrator, namely the one who is to govern the diocese temporarily, within eight days from receiving notice of the vacancy of an episcopal see.” The college of consultors is a group of at least six priests appointed by the bishop to assist him in the governance of the diocese. They only have eight days to elect a priest to take on the role of diocesan administrator. Canon 425 lists the requirements for a priest to be elected; he is to be at least 35 years old, and outstanding in doctrine and prudence. There are other rules that establish who elects the administrator if the college of consultors does not do so within the allotted time, but most of the time the college of consultors is able to elect an administrator. Now that we know when a diocesan administrator is needed, we can understand why none has been named for our diocese. As we saw in Canon 416, vacancy of a diocese occurs when the diocesan bishop dies, his resignation is accepted, or he is transferred to a diocese. In 2004, Bishop DiNardo was transferred to a different diocese, so the see became vacant. Now, even though Bishop Nickless has submitted his resignation, the Holy Father has not accepted it, therefore the diocese is not vacant. His resignation will most likely be accepted only until a new bishop is named. At that point the diocese will become vacant, because as I explained in my last column, the new bishop will have a couple of months to take possession of the diocese. What normally occurs in those cases is that the outgoing bishop is named administrator until the new bishop takes possession, so we could expect that to happen. If that were not the case, the college of consultors would be required to elect one. If you have any questions about the episcopal transition, or anything related to church law, please send it at esquilianod@scdiocese.org |
By canon law, Bishop Nickless was required to send his resignation to the Holy Father when he reached his 75th birthday (May 28, 2022).
Prayer for Bishops
Consider praying on Thursdays, the day of the institution of the priesthood: The faithful of the Diocese of Sioux City are invited to join together in prayer during this time of transition of leadership in the diocese: * in thanksgiving for Bishop Nickless and his love of Christ and the people of the diocese * for Bishop Nickless's peaceful retirement * for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as Pope Francis and the Dicastery for Bishops discern the selection of the best man to serve as our next bishop * for our next bishop and the future of the Diocese of Sioux City Let us pray... Heavenly Father, eternal Shepherd of the faithful, who tend your flock in countless ways and watch over us in love, we come to you with hearts filled with gratitude for providing us with a true shepherd after Christ's own heart, our beloved Bishop Walker Nickless. We give thanks for the gift of his episcopal ministry, for his wise leadership, for his integrity and faithfulness, for his steadfast care and solicitude and for all the spiritual blessings that we and so many others have received through our Bishop's generous self-giving service throughout these 16 years. We ask that you continue to bless him as he has generously blessed us with his love and service. As we await your will for the future of our diocese, we renew our faith and trust in your loving providence, confident that you will once again bless us with a shepherd who will inspire us to commit ourselves to living and bearing witness to the Gospel. Draw us ever closer to you, O Lord, that your light may shine and radiate from us as a beacon of faith, hope and love for the world. Together, may we always glorify you and open our hearts to embrace your holy will. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen. La Diócesis de Sioux City invita a toda la feligresía a unirse en oración durante este tiempo de transición de liderazgo en la diócesis: En acción de gracias por el obispo Nickless y su amor por Cristo y la gente de la diócesis Por la apacible jubilación del obispo Nickless Por la inspiración del Espíritu Santo mientras el Papa Francisco y la Congregación para los Obispos disciernen la selección del mejor hombre para servir como nuestro próximo obispo Por nuestro próximo obispo y el futuro de la Diócesis de Sioux City. Oremos: Padre Celestial, eterno Pastor de los fieles, que cuidas tu rebaño de innumerables maneras y nos cuidas con amor, venimos a ti con corazones llenos de gratitud por brindarnos un verdadero pastor según el corazón de Cristo, nuestro amado obispo Walker Nickless. Damos gracias por el don de su ministerio episcopal, por su sabia dirección, por su integridad y fidelidad, por su constante cuidado y solicitud y por todas las bendiciones espirituales que nosotros y muchos más hemos recibido a través del generoso servicio de entrega de nuestro Obispo a lo largo de estos 16 años. Te pedimos que lo sigas bendiciendo como él nos ha bendecido generosamente con su amor y servicio. Mientras esperamos tu voluntad para el futuro de nuestra diócesis, renovamos nuestra fe y confianza en tu amorosa providencia, seguros de que una vez más nos bendecirás con un pastor que nos inspirará a comprometernos a vivir y dar testimonio del Evangelio. Acércanos cada vez más a ti, oh Señor, para que tu luz brille e irradie en nosotros como un faro de fe, esperanza y amor para el mundo. Que juntos podamos siempre glorificarte y abrir nuestros corazones para abrazar tu santa voluntad. Te lo pedimos por Cristo Nuestro Señor. Amén. |