Question by Mr. Baafi:
Nana, we would be glad if you could educate us on how Bishops are appointed by the Pope because in the case of the Pope we are aware that he is elected by Cardinals. Again, Nana why is it that of late Bishops in Ghana are transferred to other Archdioceses and Dioceses instead of new ones being appointed from the vacant dioceses?
Question by Christian Dugan:
My Lord Bishop, what is the reason for the transfer of archbishops when replacements can be made from priests in the dioceses? Cardinal Turkson was a priest when he was ordained an archbishop to occupy the See made vacant by the demise of Archbishop Amissah. When he was elevated to the rank of a Cardinal, he was replaced by a priest who became Archbishop Matthias Nketsiah. When Archbishop Peter K. Sarpong of Kumasi retired, there was Auxiliary Bishop Gabriel Anokye who was bypassed for Bishop Thomas Mensah of Obuasi to replace Archbishop Peter K. Sarpong, and Auxiliary Bishop Gabriel Anokye was moved to Obuasi as a full bishop before being ordained an archbishop to occupy the vacant See at Kumasi. And why was Archbishop Nketsiah not replaced by a priest of his archdiocese and Archbishop Palmer Buckle not replaced by a priest from Accra? Is it the case that in these archdioceses, no priest is up to the standard of a bishop? This beats my mind.
Answer:
I would like to take these two questions together, as they have some points in common. Let us begin with the appointment of bishops.
Who can become a bishop?
A candidate for the office of bishop must be at least 35 years of age and ordained to the priesthood for at least five years. He must enjoy a good reputation; that is, the candidate must be outstanding in faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, prudence, wisdom and virtue. Lastly, he must possess a doctorate or licentiate in scripture, theology or canon law, or be expert in these same disciplines (Canon 378 §1). It must be pointed out that those selected need not be only from the diocesan clergy but may also be “members of institutes of consecrated life” (Can. 377 §2).
What is the procedure for appointing bishops?
The ultimate decision in appointing bishops rests with the pope, and he is free to select anyone he chooses. As Canon 377 §1 states, “The Supreme Pontiff freely appoints bishops or confirms those legitimately elected”. Again, according to Canon 377 §2, “The definitive judgment concerning the suitability of the one to be promoted pertains to the Apostolic See”. But how does the pope know whom to select? The process of selecting candidates for the episcopacy normally begins at the diocesan level and gradually works its way through a series of consultations until it reaches Rome. It is a process bound by strict confidentiality and involves a number of important players, the most important being the Apostolic Nuncio, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (in the case of African countries) and the Pope.
Stage 1: Bishops’ Recommendations
Every three years bishops of an ecclesiastical province (or a conference of bishops) “compose a list of presbyters, even including members of institutes of consecrated life, who are more suitable for the episcopate” (Canon 377 §2). This list is sent to the Apostolic See through the Apostolic Nuncio. Also, each diocesan bishop may propose to the Apostolic See the names of priests he judges worthy to become bishops (Canon 377 §2). Every bishop may also submit to the archbishop of his province the names of priests he thinks would make good bishops. Prior to a meeting of the bishops of the province at which the appointment of a new bishop will be discussed, the archbishop distributes to all the bishops of the province the names and curricula vitae of priests which have been submitted to him. Following a discussion among the bishops at the provincial meeting, a vote is taken on which names to recommend. The vote tally, together with the minutes of the meeting, is then forwarded by the archbishop to the Apostolic Nuncio. Alternatively, the information from the provincial meeting may be brought to the Bishops’ Conference to be discussed before it is submitted to the Nuncio by the President of the Bishops’ Conference.
Stage 2: The Apostolic Nuncio
Before any candidate is appointed a bishop, the Apostolic Nuncio conducts a diligent and thorough inquiry by individually questioning those people who know him intimately and who are in a position to give specific information, making, before God, a prudent and deliberate judgment about the candidate. By overseeing the final list of names forwarded to Rome, the Apostolic Nuncio plays a decisive role in the selection process. He not only gathers facts and information about potential candidates, but also interprets that information for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Great weight is given to the Nuncio’s recommendations, but it is important to remember that his recommendations are not always followed.
For Diocesan Bishops
After receiving the list of candidates forwarded by a province or by the Conference, the Apostolic Nuncio conducts his own investigation into the suitability of the candidates. Insisting on the special pontifical secret, he will forward questions prepared for this purpose to various clerics: bishops, priests and religious. A report is requested from the current bishop or the administrator of a diocese on the conditions and needs of the diocese. If the appointment is a replacement for a diocesan bishop or archbishop about to retire, consideration will be given to the incumbent’s recommendation. Broad consultation within the diocese is encouraged with regard to the needs of the diocese, but not the names of candidates. The report is to include the names of individuals in the diocese with whom the Nuncio might consult and how to contact them. Previous bishops of the diocese, if there are any, and bishops of the province are consulted. The President of the Bishops’ Conference is also consulted. The Nuncio may also consult certain members of the College of Consultors and “if he judges it expedient, is also to seek individually and in secret the opinion of others from both the secular and non-secular clergy and from laity outstanding in wisdom” (Can. 377 §3). If the vacancy to be filled is an archdiocese, other archbishops in the country may be consulted. All material is collected and reviewed by the Nuncio, and a report is prepared. Unless otherwise provided by particular law or some other legitimate exception, the Nuncio will select and propose the names of the three candidates to be recommended to the Holy See. Three candidates are listed alphabetically – the terna – with the Nuncio’s preference noted. All materials are then forwarded to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in Rome.
For Auxiliary Bishops
In the case of auxiliary bishops, a diocesan bishop must justify to the Apostolic Nuncio his need for an auxiliary. This is easier if he is requesting a replacement for a retired or deceased auxiliary. The diocesan bishop prepares the terna, or list of three candidates, for his requested auxiliary and forwards it to the Apostolic Nuncio. The Nuncio then conducts his own investigation of the priests on the diocesan bishop’s terna, sending the names to Rome with a report and his own recommendation.
Stage 3: Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
Once all the documentation from the Nuncio is complete and in order, and the Prefect of the Congregation approves, the process moves forward. If the appointment involves a bishop who is being promoted or transferred, the matter may be handled by the Prefect and the staff. If, however, the appointment is of a priest to the episcopacy, the full Congregation is ordinarily involved. A Cardinal Relator is chosen to summarize the documentation and make a report to the full Congregation. After hearing the Cardinal Relator’s report, the Congregation discusses the appointment and then votes. The Congregation may follow the recommendation of the Nuncio, choose another of the candidates on the terna, or even ask that another terna be prepared.
Stage 4: The Pope Decides
At a private audience with the pope, the Prefect of the Congregation presents the recommendations of the Congregation to the Holy Father. A few days later, the pope informs the Congregation of his decision. The Congregation then notifies the Nuncio, who in turn contacts the candidate and asks if he will accept. If the answer is “yes”, the Vatican is notified and a date is set for the announcement.
The newly-appointed Bishop
The newly appointed bishop is required to make the profession of faith and take the oath of fidelity to the Apostolic See. He acquires juridical power over the diocese when he formally takes canonical possession of the diocese (Canon 382 par. 1). Ordinarily, when a priest is promoted to the office of bishop he must take canonical possession of his diocese within three months of receiving the apostolic letter. This means that he must first be ordained a bishop, after which he takes canonical possession of the diocese. If he has been ordained a bishop, he must take possession of the diocese within two months of receiving the apostolic letter (Canon 381, §2).
In an already established diocese, he does this when, personally or by proxy, he shows the apostolic letter to the College of Consultors, in the presence of the Chancellor of the Curia, who makes a record of the fact. This event must take place in the diocese. In a newly established diocese, he takes possession when he communicates the apostolic letter to the clergy and the people in the cathedral church, with the most senior priest present making a record of the facts (Canon 382 par. 3).
Appointment and Transfer of Bishops and Archbishops
From the foregoing, it is clear that it is Rome that is ultimately responsible for the appointment of bishops. It is also clear that diocesan bishops can be chosen from the ranks of both diocesan priests and the religious. If, for a period, Rome appointed bishops mostly from the ranks of the diocesan priests, it does not mean that that must always be the case. If, at the present time, Rome is appointing bishops mostly from the ranks of the religious, it does not mean that that has become the norm. Rome reserves to itself the right at any time to appoint bishops either from the ranks of diocesan priests or from the religious. It also reserves to itself the right to transfer a bishop to a vacant diocese instead of appointing a priest, whether diocesan or religious. However, this does not mean or imply that none of the priests in that particular diocese qualifies to be the bishop or archbishop. Rome must have a reason for appointing a bishop from outside a particular diocese or archdiocese or from the ranks of the religious, or transferring a bishop from another diocese to become a bishop or archbishop in another diocese or archdiocese. It does not mean that that is the norm now. Rome’s decision will no doubt be informed by “the signs of the times” at any given moment. In all this, we must assume that Rome has the welfare of the diocese or archdiocese at heart in any decision that it takes.
Let me conclude by commenting on two things in Mr. Christian Dugan’s question. First, he said that following the resignation of Most Rev. Peter Kwasi Sarpong, Auxiliary Bishop Anokye “was bypassed for Bishop Mensah of Obuasi to replace Most Rev. Sarpong”. The use of the word “bypass” is unfortunate. It presupposes that it was the turn of Auxiliary Bishop Anokye to become the Archbishop of Kumasi, and Rome for some inexplicable reason “bypassed” him. There is no evidence that Rome had decided that Auxiliary Bishop Anokye was next in line and then changed its mind! Being an Auxiliary Bishop in a diocese does not mean that if the bishop resigns or dies, the Auxiliary will be the next bishop. He may or may not be chosen by Rome. It would have been a different matter if in the case being discussed, Most Rev. Gabriel Anokye had been a Co-adjutor Bishop of Kumasi. A Co-adjutor bishop is a bishop appointed to a diocese or archdiocese to assist the diocesan bishop, but unlike an Auxiliary Bishop, he has the right of succession, meaning that he automatically becomes the new bishop when the diocesan bishop resigns or dies (Can. 409 §1).
Second, Mr. Dugan speaks of Fr. Peter Turkson and Bishop Gabriel Anokye being “ordained” archbishops. I would like to point out that one is not ordained an archbishop. If a priest is appointed an archbishop of a diocese, he will be ordained a bishop and then will be installed an archbishop of that particular diocese. Thus, Fr. Peter Turkson was ordained a bishop and then installed as Archbishop of Cape Coast. In the same way, when Bishop Anokye of Obuasi was appointed the Archbishop of Kumasi, he was not ordained. He was already a bishop and was simply installed as the Archbishop of Kumasi. To give a current example, Archbishop-Elect John Bonaventure Kwofie is not going to be ordained an Archbishop for the Accra Archdiocese on 1 March 2019. He has already been ordained a bishop and will only be installed as the Archbishop of Accra.
The rank of archbishop is not an order. It is an administrative position in an ecclesiastical province which does not call for another ordination apart from the episcopal ordination. It should be borne in mind that the basic orders in the Church are deacon, priest and bishop. Thus, one is ordained a deacon, a priest or a bishop. One is not ordained an archbishop just as one is not ordained a Cardinal or Pope!