How is a Archbishop, Cardinal and Apostolic Nuncio selected?

by Michael Shackleton · May 19, 2016

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

(CNS photo/Maria Grazia Picciarella, Pool)

In my previous column I responded to the first part of your question about the selection and duties of bishops. This is the second part of that question.

An archbishop is not selected in the way a candidate for bishop is selected. Usually, it is the diocese itself which has the status of an archdiocese, and whoever is appointed to it automatically becomes its archbishop.

An archdiocese is a diocese like any other except that it is the central diocese of an ecclesiastical province. For instance, the archdiocese of Johannesburg is the central diocese of the province of Johannesburg whose territory embraces the dioceses of Klerksdorp, Witbank and Manzini (in Swaziland).

The archbishop of Johannesburg is known as the metropolitan of this province and the other dioceses are known as his suffragan sees. He has no power of governance over them but has certain canonical rights and responsibilities in their regard.

Often an archbishop was a bishop in a smaller diocese before his appointment to an archdiocese. For example, Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town previously was the bishop of Kroonstad; Cardinal Wilfrid Napier and Archbishop William Slattery were both bishops of Kokstad.

Cardinals have the privilege of electing one of their number to become bishop of Rome. Historically, they were the pope’s assistants in the running of the Rome diocese and beyond.

The pope alone chooses whom he wants to be given the honour and obligation of being a cardinal. Canon 351.1 prescribes that the candidate must be a priest who is outstanding in doctrine, virtue, piety and prudence in practical matters. One who is not a bishop must receive episcopal ordination.

Cardinals have many duties, most of them in supporting the pope in the government of the Church. Some are resident bishops and others are heads of Vatican departments. They all report directly to the pope.

Cardinals’ financial support could depend on the type of post they hold in the Vatican or locally or both.

The Holy See, that is, the Church’s seat of government, represents the position and authority of the pope as universal pastor. It has sent envoys and missions to kingdoms and countries over many centuries in order to pursue and preserve justice and peace.

An apostolic nuncio is a diplomat with the rank of archbishop who represents the Holy See to a state or international organisation. He is like any other accredited ambassador in such a position.

The nuncio will liaise between governments and the Holy See in matters of mutual concern.

Of course, he also will liaise between the Holy See and the local Church, in particular with the regional conference of bishops.

As its ambassador, the nuncio’s financial support will come from the Holy See.