How is a Bishop Selected?

by Michael Shackleton · April 27, 2016

How is a bishop selected in South Africa? What is the process involved and by whom is he selected? What qualifications should the candidate have? What are his duties, to whom does he report and from where does he get his financial support? Diana Lensen

Bishops from North America, Europe and South Africa process into the Church of the Good Shepherd for a Jan. 11 Mass on the grounds of the Our Lady of Peace Centre on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan. The Mass was held in solidarity with scores of Iraqi Christian refugees displaced by Islamic State militants, to let them know that they are not forgotten. (CNS photo/Dale Gavlak)

The process of selecting and appointing a candidate for episcopal ordination is the same in South Africa as elsewhere in the Church. Canons 377-402 of the Code of Canon Law provide the legal requirements for the procedure.

Bishops of a particular region, such as the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, will be in possession of a list of priests who are considered likely candidates for the office of bishop. Their names are usually gathered from individual bishops and religious superiors.

The list is given to the apostolic nuncio or similar representative of the Holy See, and he has the right to ask questions and seek further particulars about the suitability of each nominee. When he is satisfied, he submits the list to Rome.

When a new bishop is to be appointed, three possible candidates are identified. The nuncio will scrutinise the previous list together with any more recent nominees and will discuss the selection with the regional bishops.

To be a candidate a priest must be strong in faith and of good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence and human virtues and talents to suit him for the office. He must also be of good esteem, at least 35 years of age, ordained at least five years and knowledgeable in theology, scripture and canon law, preferably holding an academic qualification.

The candidate should fit into the cultural and linguistic features of the area, if possible being born or brought up there or thereabouts. The decision to appoint is made by the pope. An appointment is announced once the nominee has signalled his free acceptance.

The bishop’s duties include the pastoral care of his flock and priests, to foster vocations, to teach and defend the faith, to exhibit holiness of life, to preside at the celebration of the Eucharist in his cathedral church on holy days.

He must also visit his diocese in whole or in part each year and submit a report of the state of his diocese to Rome.

As a successor of the Apostles, the bishop answers ultimately to Christ for his stewardship. As a member of the college of bishops in union with the bishop of Rome, he answers to that college if he is remiss in his duties. As the head of the college, the bishop of Rome may discipline him appropriately.

The bishop relies on the people entrusted to his care for financial support, although he may look for funds beyond his diocese.