Bishop Selection

Dear Catholic Exchange:

I am a member of the Diocese of Reno and our bishop just announced his resignation. I would like to send a letter to Rome nominating a priest for the post. To whom do I send the letter?

Mr. Barta

Dear Mr. Barta,

Peace in Christ!

The Code of Canon Law provides an overview of the process of selecting a bishop. While individual lay people are not likely to be consulted on the selection of a prospective diocesan bishop, they are certainly free to write the proper Church authorities with their concerns. They may write regarding whom they think would be — or would not be — a suitable candidate to (1) become a bishop; or, if one is already a bishop, (2) be promoted to serve as a bishop in another diocese.

To be considered a suitable candidate for the episcopate [i.e., to serve as a bishop], canon 378.1 provides that a candidate must:

1. be outstanding in strong faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence and human virtues, and possess those other gifts which equip him to fulfill the office in question;

2. be held in good esteem;

3. be at least 35 years old;

4. be a priest ordained for at least five years;

5. hold a doctorate or at least a licentiate in sacred Scripture, theology or canon law, from an institute of higher studies approved by the Apostolic See, or at least be well-versed in those disciplines.

While the Holy Father has the final decision in selecting bishops, he relies on input from the Congregation for Bishops, which in turn uses information gathered from the local Church. To participate in this process, a lay person may write his Metropolitan (the archbishop who is placed over a certain geographical region in a country which is compromised of a number of dioceses); suffragan bishops (a bishop who heads a diocese that is subordinate to the metropolitan see of an ecclesiastical province); the apostolic nuncio (Vatican ambassador or papal legate) serving his country; and/or the Congregation for Bishops (which deals with everything concerning the appointment of bishops).

A well-informed, respectful, and heartfelt letter from a local layman can make a difference in the selection process. While it is difficult to determine the impact of that difference, we can say that such personal letters are read by Church authorities, particularly at the Vatican embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Congregation for Bishops in Rome.

The Diocese of Reno is part of the Province of San Francisco. The Archbishop of San Francisco is the Most Reverend William J. Levada. To contact the Archbishop, write to:

Most Reverend William J. Levada

One Peter Yorke Way

San Francisco, CA 94109

The Apostolic Nuncio to the United States is the Most Reverend Gabriel Montalvo, J.C.D. He can be reached by writing:

Most Reverend Gabriel Montalvo, J.C.D.

3339 Massachusetts Ave., N.W.

Washington, DC 20008-3867

The Prefect for Congregation for Bishops is His Eminence Giovanni Battista Cardinal Re, and the Secretary is the Most Reverend Archbishop Francesco Monterisi. The address for the Congregation for Bishops is:

Piazza Pio XII 10

00193 Rome, Italy

In writing a letter to a Cardinal, the salutation should read, “Your Eminence:” and should conclude, “I have the honor to be, Your Eminence, [etc.]” The salutation for a letter to an Archbishop should read, “Your Excellency:” and should conclude, “I have the honor to be, Your Excellency, [etc.]”

For more information on the role of bishops in the Church, you might enjoy reading our Faith Fact Following Our Bishops.

United in the Faith,

Sarah Rozman

Information Specialist

Catholics United for the Faith

827 North Fourth Street

Steubenville, OH 43952

800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)

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