"Given the enormous emphasis in the Diocese on mission and planning for the future I thought it important that my successor be in place as early as possible. It was for this reason, and after much advice, I wrote to Pope Benedict asking for a co-adjutor bishop. Much to my delight he accepted the request and the search for successor has already begun."As Fr Paul hints, this is a thoughtful and pastoral decision. Bishop O'Donoghue reaches the canonical age in 2009. Nowadays it can take a considerable time to find a new diocesan Bishop and a long interregnum can be difficult for a diocese. His provision for his diocese is to be welcomed - we had a similar arrangement in Southwark when Archbishop Bowen offered his resignation "nunc pro tunc" - now, but to come into effect as soon as a successor was appointed.
Saturday, 29 September 2007
Lancaster to get co-adjutor
Fr Paul Harrison has just posted the news of an announcement from Bishop O'Donoghue of Lancaster Diocese:
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12 comments:
Quite right. The time taken to appint Bishops is actually quite scandalous. Where does the hold up come from? The Nuncio? Rome? There has to be accountability somewhere
There is quite a lot of vetting done both in Rome and locally. Then the person chosen might refuse and the process has to start again.
Hi Father -
would you say the chosen person declining happens very often- I would have thought it was exceptionally rare?
Being from Lancaster Diocese, I'm quite anxious to see who it is. I'm from one of the parishes earmarked to close. There's going to be a lot of change in the diocese over the coming years, and I think the appointment of a-co adjutor is an excellent idea.
I am not in a position to know, Paul.
Someone said "The time taken to appint Bishops is actually quite scandalous. Where does the hold up come from?"
The struggle to find a half-decent candidate?
Fr Finigan, do you fancy a move up north?
Archbishop Bowen's resignation was accepted by the Holy Father before the appointment of his successor, if my memory serves me correctly. He was elected Administrator by the College of Consultors.
What is a co-adjutor? A helper?
Granted but even then process would appear extraordinarily slow. It is not good for dioceses to continue in administration ad infitum.
Sometimes the man himself is the last to know, Reverend and Dear Father.
o{];¬)
Dear anonymous,
A co-adjutor is not only a helper, he automatically succeeds his diocesan unless other provision is made.
The difference between a co-ajdutor and an auxilary:
When an auxilary greets his boss, he asks him:
"How can I help you today, My Lord?"
When a co-ajdutor greets the same he asks:
"How are you FEELING today My Lord ...?"
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