Title: Bishop Becoming Post by: CyrilSebastian on September 28, 2020, 08:13:00 PM How many years must a priest serve as a priest before he could become a bishop? Title: Re: Bishop Becoming Post by: Benedict on September 28, 2020, 09:02:40 PM CODE OF CANON LAW
BOOK II : THE PEOPLE OF GOD PART II : THE HIERARCHICAL CONSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH SECTION II :PARTICULAR CHURCHES AND THEIR GROUPINGS TITLE I :PARTICULAR CHURCHES AND THE AUTHORITY CONSTITUTED WITHIN THEM (Cann. 368 - 430) CHAPTER II : BISHOPS ARTICLE 1: BISHOPS IN GENERAL Can. 375 §1 By divine institution, Bishops succeed the Apostles through the Holy Spirit who is given to them. They are constituted Pastors in the Church, to be the teachers of doctrine, the priests of sacred worship and the ministers of governance. §2 By their episcopal consecration, Bishops receive, together with the office of sanctifying, the offices also of teaching and of ruling, which however, by their nature, can be exercised only in hierarchical communion with the head of the College and its members. Can. 376 Bishops to whom the care of a given diocese is entrusted are called diocesan Bishops; the others are called titular Bishops. Can. 377 §1 The Supreme Pontiff freely appoints Bishops or confirms those lawfully elected. §2 At least every three years, the Bishops of an ecclesiastical province or, if circumstances suggest it, of an Episcopal Conference, are to draw up, by common accord and in secret, a list of priests, even of members of institutes of consecrated life, who are suitable for the episcopate; they are to send this list to the Apostolic See. This is without prejudice to the right of every Bishop individually to make known to the Apostolic See the names of priests whom he thinks are worthy and suitable for the episcopal office. §3 Unless it has been lawfully prescribed otherwise, for the appointment of a diocesan Bishop or a coadjutor Bishop, a ternus, as it is called, is to be proposed to the Apostolic See. In the preparation of this list, it is the responsibility of the papal Legate to seek individually the suggestions of the Metropolitan and of the Suffragans of the province to which the diocese in question belongs or with which it is joined in some grouping, as well as the suggestions of the president of the Episcopal Conference. The papal Legate is, moreover, to hear the views of some members of the college of consultors and of the cathedral chapter. If he judges it expedient, he is also to seek individually, and in secret, the opinions of other clerics, both secular and religious, and of lay persons of outstanding wisdom. He is then to send these suggestions, together with his own opinion, to the Apostolic See. §4 Unless it has been lawfully provided otherwise, the diocesan Bishop who judges that his diocese requires an auxiliary Bishop, is to propose to the Apostolic See a list of the names of at least three priests suitable for this office . §5 For the future, no rights or privileges of election, appointment, presentation or designation of Bishops are conceded to civil authorities. Can. 378 §1 To be a suitable candidate for the episcopate, a person must: 1° be outstanding in strong faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence and human virtues, and possess those other gifts which equip him to fulfil the office in question; 2° be held in good esteem; 3° be at least 35 years old; 4° be a priest ordained for at least five years; 5° hold 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 be well versed in these disciplines. §2 The definitive judgement on the suitability of the person to be promoted rests with the Apostolic See. Can. 379 Unless prevented by a lawful reason, one who is promoted to the episcopate must receive episcopal consecration within three months of receiving the apostolic letters, and in fact before he takes possession of his office. Can. 380 Before taking canonical possession of his office, he who has been promoted is to make the profession of faith and take the oath of fidelity to the Apostolic See, in accordance with the formula approved by the same Apostolic See. Title: Re: Bishop Becoming Post by: Benedict on September 28, 2020, 09:11:07 PM Though I think that one point should be made to clarify the already clear Canon Law regarding Bishops: a Priest may serve an entire lifetime and not become a Bishop.
A Bishop is chosen from among Priests, not every Priest can or will be made a Bishop; just like not every Bishop is chosen to be a Cardinal and not every Cardinal is chosen to become Pope. The Office of a Bishop is the Office of High Priesthood, it is the same Office that Jesus Himself holds as Supreme Bishop or Eternal Pontiff. As nobody can actually replace Jesus who is both Priest and Victim, the persons may change who hold the Office of the Priesthood or the Office of the Bishop but the Office itself remains unchanged due to Apostolic Succession. Title: Re: Bishop Becoming Post by: Poche on October 17, 2020, 06:15:23 AM St Turribius of Mongrovejo was a layman when he was appointed by the Pope to be the bishop of Lima.
Title: Re: Bishop Becoming Post by: Benedict on October 17, 2020, 05:43:27 PM St Turribius of Mongrovejo was a layman when he was appointed by the Pope to be the bishop of Lima. According to Franciscan Media "Turribius of Mongrovejo cited all the canons that forbade giving laymen ecclesiastical dignities, but he was overruled. Turibius was ordained priest and bishop and sent to Peru"So first of all, he was ordained as a priest, and then as a bishop. According to wikipedia he was first ordained a priest in 1578 and was later consecrated as an archbishop in 1580 before setting off for Peru. Title: Re: Bishop Becoming Post by: CyrilSebastian on June 21, 2024, 06:18:37 PM Has there been a priest younger than 35 years old who was made a bishop? |