Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
New norms encourage bishops in difficult situations to resign

New norms encourage bishops in difficult situations to resign

Last updated on: November 5, 2014 at 9:41 pm by CNA Daily News

New norms encourage bishops in difficult situations to resign 2014-11-05T21:41:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Nov 5, 2014 / 02:41 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The appreciation shown to bishops who choose to offer their resignation before the age of 75 because of illness “or other serious reasons” is the most important point in a Vatican document which went into effect on Wednesday.

Made public and going into effect Nov. 5, the ‘rescriptum ex audientia’ follows a Nov. 3 papal audience held with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State.

The papal rescript couched its decisions in quotes from Christus Dominus – Vatican II's 1965 decree on the pastoral office of bishops in the Church – and Ecclesiae Sanctae, Bl. Paul VI's motu proprio of the following years implementing the decree, which encouraged bishops to spontaneously submit resignation at the age of 75.

The rescript also makes reference to Ingravescentem aetatem, Bl. Paul VI's 1970 motu proprio on the cardinals of the Roman Curia, confirming 75 as an age limit for heads of dicasteries and 80 for members; to the canon law codes of both the Latin and Eastern Churches; and to Pastor bonus, St. John Paul II's 1988 apostolic constitution on the Roman Curia.

Pope Francis' rescript confirms that bishops, including coadjutors and auxiliaries, are invited to present their resignation at the age of 75; and that resignation is effective only when “it is accepted by the legitimate Authorities,” i.e. the Pope.

The rescript also notes that once a resignation has been accepted, “the interested parties cease to hold any other office at national level conferred for a period determined in concomitance with the aforementioned pastoral office.”

The real news of the papal rescript comes in article four, which says, in part: “The gesture of a Bishop who, by motives of love or the wish to offer a better service to the community, considers it necessary to resign from the role of Pastor before reaching the age of seventy-five on account of illness or other serious reasons, is to be deemed worthy of ecclesial appreciation.”

The article also notes that “in such cases, the faithful are requested to demonstrate solidarity and understanding for their former Pastor, providing punctual assistance consistent with the principles of charity and justice.”

A Vatican source told CNA that “this norm is intended to encourage those bishops (to resign) who are living in difficult situations yet do not want to resign because they do not want leave their flock, or because of opportunism.”

Article five, in turn, reiterates that “in some particular circumstances, the competent Authorities may deem it necessary to request that a Bishop present his resignation from pastoral office, after informing him of the cause for this request, and listening closely to his reasons, in fraternal dialogue.”

This article acknowledges, perhaps, that when bishops “who are living in difficult situations” do not submit resignations before turning 75, the Pope might make a point of asking them to do so.

The final two articles concern cardinals who head a dicastery and non-cardinals who are presidents, secretaries, and bishops who hold other offices appointed by the Pope; both groups are required to submit their resignation at the age of 75.

When the latter are member of one dicastery by virtue of their being head of another, they cease in their membership of those other dicasteries when they cease in their leadership position. And those who serve as members of dicasteries cease in their membership upon reaching the age of 80.

The source commented that “it is yet to be seen now how many members of Vatican dicasteries will cease their membership now that this rescript has come into effect.”

On the other hand, the source also noticed that “the rescript may also be an alert to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who had not ceased his functions as camerlengo, though he had resigned from the post of Secretary of State, having reached the age limit.”

Cardinal Bertone, 79, resigned as Vatican Secretary of State one year ago. He remains camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, an office that assists with administrative services and preparations for a conclave when the Apostolic See is vacant.

In fact, Cardinal Bertone will celebrate his 80th birthday on Dec. 2, and so will automatically cease any charge in the Roman Curia – including that of camerlengo.

“However, the rescript could be a nudge to the cardinal to leave the post in advance of that date,” the source concluded.

The camerlengo is among the officials appointed by the Pope, but the norm includes, in addition, such roles as the archpriests of the Roman basilicas.

The heads of offices appointed by the Pope were included in the norms by the specific wish of Pope Francis, as was confirmed by Cardinal Parolin, who spoke informally at the conclusion of the inauguration of the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology's academic year.

Vatican

Previous Post

November 5, 2014

At the heart of the annulment process: Justice, salvation of souls, Pope says

Next Post

November 5, 2014 Pain and growth as Archdiocese of New York reorganizes

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many children did Job lose in the disasters at the beginning of the book?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Ten Five Seven Twelve