Columns

Our emeritus archbishop getting lots of invitations

After the resignation of Archbishop Adam Exner, OMI, was accepted, he was immediately appointed administrator of the archdiocese, a sign of the enormous respect and affection in which he was held.

Many people, perhaps not aware the archbishop was turning 75 and would be offering his resignation to the Pope, were taken by surprise and asked, “What, then, will happen with him? Is he still a bishop?”

The answer is firm as iron: “Certainly, he will remain bishop until the end of his life, and even after his death he will be buried with the honours a bishop deserves.”

Archbishop Exner will continue to use most of his episcopal insignia: his ring, mitre, and pectoral cross; he can exercise the powers conferred on him the day of his episcopal consecration. Since he has received the plenitude of the priesthood, he can ordain other bishops, provided he has a papal mandate; he can confirm, bless churches, etc., with the consent of the local bishop.

Many will invite him to celebrate funerals and weddings, which he can do with the pastor’s permission or delegation. This limitation applies not only to him, but to all bishops outside their territory, even, amazingly, the papal nuncio, who does not have the canonical power to celebrate weddings without the delegation of the local bishop or a simple pastor.

More important, the retirement of a bishop must be considered as a reward for the good work he accomplished in his diocese. The Holy See issued special norms for bishops retiring from their office. They are not abandoned. On the contrary, their names will appear in the Annuario Pontificio, the Vatican Directory, listing the dioceses, cardinals, bishops, and prelates of the whole world.

A retired bishop has the right of residence in the diocese, if he so wishes. He must, however, notify Rome of his address, telephone, e-mail, fax, etc., in order to receive documents the Holy See will continue to send him. He could be appointed a consultor in different agencies of the Vatican; the national episcopal conference can take advantage of his talents and experiences.

The episcopal conference has also determined about the well-being and comfortable conditions for retired bishops, and ruled that the diocese must provide for their accommodation with “zealous and careful provision for their financial situation” (norms for bishops leaving office, 31, X.1988).

As for our emeritus archbishop, he has already received a plethora of invitations to be the main speaker in various conferences, to preach retreats, etc. No doubt he will be asked by the new archbishop to edit the conclusions and draft the significant documents approved by the synod which, during the vacancy of the archdiocese, “by virtue of the law itself, is suspended, and only the new bishop can issue decrees that it be continued or declare it terminated” (canon 468).

This is to say that Archbishop Exner will not be idle! The question of the faithful is not one of simple curiosity, it is the reaction of numerous people who love him and who experienced his warmth, his talent, and his wisdom. How much we will miss him!

People also want to know what is the actual position of the newly elected shepherd. The law requires that one who is promoted bishop cannot become involved in the exercise of his new office before he has taken canonical possession of the diocese (canon 382).

When a bishop is named, there are three steps to follow: free appointment by the Pope, episcopal consecration, and canonical possession of his diocese. The first two stages are already accomplished, since Bishop-elect Raymond Roussin, SM, was freely appointed by John Paul II and is already a consecrated bishop. The only step missing is to take possession of his new archdiocese and, until that happens at his installation Feb. 17, the bishop-elect is forbidden from becoming involved in the administration of his new diocese.

In the meantime, however, according to canon law, Bishop Roussin continues to administer his duties in the Victoria diocese until he takes possession of his new diocese. Then the consultors in Victoria will proceed to elect an administrator, unless the Holy See provides differently and appoints one directly.

As the law states, “A bishop who has been transferred to another diocese is given two months from the time he receives notice of his new post to take possession of his new diocese” (canon 382). By this very fact, the previous diocese becomes vacant (canon 191) and the bishop governs his original diocese as diocesan administrator; his vicars cease their function, unless the vicars are themselves auxiliary bishops (canon 409).

During the period between the pontifical notification and his taking possession of the new diocese, the bishop who is promoted can make no canonical innovations (canon 428).

Essentially, “those who have the interim governance of the diocese are forbidden to do anything which could, in any way, prejudice the rights of the [new] bishop. Both they, and, in like manner, any other persons, are specifically forbidden to remove, destroy, or in any way alter documents of the diocesan curia, either personally or through another” (canon 428 S1-2).

In other words, those who govern the diocese during its vacancy exercise a function best described as that of a caretaker.

Correction: My column last week about the installation of the new archbishop originally said that as metropolitan presiding over the suffragan bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia, Archbishop Raymond Roussin would “be more than a primus inter pares, i.e. the first among his equal fellow bishops.” Unfortunately the words “more than” were dropped in the subsequent editing process.

Msgr. Lopez-Gallo’s columns are available in two volumes for $20 each from St. Andrew’s Church Supply, 275 E. 8 Ave., Vancouver, V5T 1R9, or toll-free at 1-800-663-7161. Proceeds will go to Hogar de Nazareth Orphanage in Mexico, which he sponsors.