CHOICE OF BISHOPS IN AMERICA

New Zealand Tablet, 1 February 1917, Page 13

CHOICE OF BISHOPS IN AMERICA

CHANGE IN MODE OF ELECTION. In a recent issue of the Acta Apostolicce Sedis appears a decree of the Sacred Consistorial Congregation which makes an important change in the method of choosing candidates to be put forward for Bishoprics in the United States (writes the Rome correspondent of the Catholic Times, under date November 10). The existing the terna —system does not, it is explained, appear to meet fully the present exigencies of the Church. The Holy Father has therefore sanctioned a new rule after asking for and receiving the advice of the Bishops. At the beginning of Lent of next year, 1917, and afterwards every two years, at the same time, each and all of the Bishops will indicate to their Metropolitan the name of one or two priests whom they consider worthy and fit for the episcopal ministry. Priests of another diocese or even of another province may be proposed. But before they decide upon whom to propose, both the Archbishops and Bishops are to ask the Diocesan Consultors and irremovable pastors, individually, to indicate some priest whom they deem worthy and fit for the' episcopal office. Secrecy is to be observed, sub gravi. When the Archbishop has received the names he will arrange an index of all in alphabetical order, suppressing the names of the proposers, and will transmit a note of it to each Suffragan, so that the Suffragans may be able to make opportune investigations about the qualities of those whom they do not know personally and-from certain knowledge. After Easter, on a day and at a place to be fixed by the Archbishop, all the Bishops of the Province will meet with their Metropolitan for the selection of those who are to be proposed to the Holy Stee for the episcopal ministry. Detailed instructions are . given as to how the proceedings, which are to be secret, shall be conducted. After a discussion the names of the candidates found to be deserving of being struck off the list will not be called out. The others will be called out and voted for. The selection will be made by secret voting. Before the Bishops depart the report made by the Right Rev. secretary is to be read. A copy of the records signed by the Archbishop, the episcopal secretary, and the other Bishops is to be sent through the Apostolic Delegate to the Sacred Consistorial Congregation. Referring to the change in the mode of choosing Bishops in the United States, Rome asks: Will the new law be made universal with more or less modification ? It replies that it thinks not, owing to the existence of concordate and special privileges.