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Bishops in the Catholic Church

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In the Catholic Church , a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of holy orders and is responsible for teaching doctrine, governing Catholics in his jurisdiction , sanctifying the world and representing the Church. Catholics trace the origins of the office of bishop to the apostles , who it is believed were endowed with a special charism and office by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost . Catholics believe this special charism and office has been transmitted through an unbroken succession of bishops by the laying on of hands in the sacrament of holy orders.

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65-766: Diocesan bishops —known as eparchial bishops in the Eastern Catholic Churches —are assigned to govern local regions within the Catholic Church known as dioceses in the Latin Church and eparchies in the Eastern Churches. Bishops are collectively known as the College of Bishops and can hold such additional titles as archbishop , cardinal , patriarch , or pope . As of 2020, there were approximately 5,600 living bishops total in

130-461: A Ph.D. rather than a Th.D. to graduates of higher-level religious studies programs. A Doctor of Sacred Theology (STD) holds another research doctorate, in particular awarded by Catholic pontifical universities and faculties. A Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) holds another doctorate-level religious degree, which is a professional doctorate rather than a research doctorate. Christopher St. Germain 's book The Doctor and Student (1528) describes

195-592: A pectoral cross and episcopal ring . The 1969 Instruction on the dress of prelates stated that the dress for ordinary use may instead be a simple cassock without coloured trim. Since 1969, a black suit and clerical shirt, already customary in English-speaking countries, has become very common also in countries where previously it was unknown. A Latin Church bishop's choir dress , which is worn when attending but not celebrating liturgical functions, consists of

260-589: A city or area that used to be the seat of a diocese, but whose episcopal see (diocese) is no longer functioning as such. Titular (arch)bishops often serve as auxiliary bishops , as officials in the Roman Curia , in the Patriarchal Curias of Eastern Churches, as papal diplomatic envoys (notably apostolic nuncios or apostolic delegates ), or head certain missionary pre-diocesan jurisdictions (notably as apostolic vicar , which as of 2019 no longer gets

325-409: A collection of work which has been previously published in a peer-reviewed context and pay an examination fee. The university then assembles a committee of academics both internal and external who review the work submitted and decide on whether the candidate deserves the doctorate based on the submission. Most universities restrict candidacy to graduates or academic staff of several years' standing. In

390-500: A new pope, who is in practice always one of their number, on the death or resignation of the incumbent. Cardinals also serve as papal advisors and hold positions of authority within the structure of the Catholic Church. Under canon law, a man appointed a cardinal must normally be a/an (arch)bishop, or accept consecration of it, but may seek papal permission to decline. Most cardinals are already archbishops of important archdioceses or patriarchates, others already serving as titular bishops in

455-524: A particular bishop has forbidden it, any bishop may preach throughout the Catholic Church and any priest or deacon may also preach anywhere (presuming the permission of local pastor) unless his faculty to preach has been restricted or removed. The cathedral of a diocese contains a special chair, called a cathedra , sometimes referred to as a throne , set aside in the sanctuary for the exclusive use of its Ordinary; it symbolizes his spiritual and ecclesiastical authority. Bishops may fill additional roles in

520-512: A particular see can apply to several people, if the first lives long enough. The sees listed in the 2007 Annuario Pontificio as having more than one bishop emeritus included Zárate-Campana, Villavicencio, Versailles, and Uruguaiana. There were even three Archbishops Emeriti of Taipei. The same suffix was applied to the Bishop of Rome , Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI , on his retirement. Archiereus ( Ancient Greek : ἀρχιερεύς , Russian, arkhierei )

585-522: A priest does not possess such a document, he may celebrate the sacraments if the local bishop or pastor judges that the visiting priest is a person of good character. In the East an antimension signed by the bishop is kept on the altar partly as a reminder of whose altar it is and under whose omophorion the priest at a local parish is serving. For priests to validly celebrate the sacrament of Penance they must have faculties (permission and authority) from

650-489: A reference to the theological or religious aspect of the degree's subject area ... a degree awarded under this subdivision shall reflect the nature of the degree title, such as "associate of religious studies," "bachelor of religious studies," "master of divinity," or "doctor of divinity." In a 1976 interview with Morley Safer of the TV newsmagazine 60 Minutes , Universal Life Church founder Kirby J. Hensley professed that

715-461: A titular see). Since 1970, a coadjutor bishop (or archbishop) uses the title of the see he is assigned to, and a bishop (or archbishop) emeritus uses the title of his last residential see. A suffragan bishop leads a diocese within an ecclesiastical province other than the principal diocese, the metropolitan archdiocese . An auxiliary bishop is a full-time assistant to a diocesan bishop or archbishop. Auxiliaries are titular (arch)bishops without

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780-544: Is a Greek term for diocesan bishop, when considered as the culmination of the priesthood . It is used in the liturgical books of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Church , for those services which correspond to the pontifical services of the Roman Rite . The term is distinct from protoiereus ( archpriest ), the highest ecclesiastical rank which a married priest may attain in

845-529: Is a bishop or archbishop in pastoral charge of a diocese or archdiocese . In relation to other bishops, a diocesan bishop may be a suffragan , a metropolitan (if an archbishop) or a primate . They may also hold various other positions such as being a cardinal or patriarch . Titular bishops in the Roman Catholic Church may be assistant bishops with special faculties, coadjutor bishops (these bishops are now named as coadjutors of

910-569: Is an expression of the teaching authority, and education responsibility of the bishop. Prior to the Second Vatican Council , it was also the prerogative of the bishop to consecrate the paten and chalice that would be used during the Mass. One of the changes implemented since the council, is that a simple blessing is now said, and it may be given by any priest. In both Western and Eastern Catholic churches, any priest can celebrate

975-648: Is an honorific title above archbishop given to some Latin dioceses for historical reasons. Some Eastern Catholic Churches style their heads as catholicoi , a historic title for the head of a Church. The Armenian Catholic Church , the Chaldean Catholic Church , and the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church all style their heads as such. Major archbishops are the heads of a major archiepiscopal church . The major archbishops' authority within their respective sui juris churches

1040-568: Is equal to that of a patriarch, but they receive fewer ceremonial honors and their election must be confirmed by the Holy See. In the Catholic Church, a primate is usually the bishop of the oldest diocese and/or the capital of a (present or former) nation ; the title is one of honor. Since the publication of the new Code of Canon Law in 1983 by Pope John Paul II , all members of the Catholic clergy are forbidden to hold public office without

1105-578: Is limited to a course of instruction in the principles of the church or religious denomination". However, under the California Education Code, "an institution owned, controlled, and operated and maintained by a religious organization lawfully operating as a nonprofit religious corporation pursuant to Part 4 (commencing with Section 9110) of Division 2 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code" that offers "instruction... limited to

1170-543: Is obliged to celebrate Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation with the intention of praying for those in his care, assign clergy to their posts in various institutions and oversee finances. A bishop is to have a special concern for priests, listening to them, using them as counsellors, ensuring that they are adequately provided for in every way, and defending their rights set forth in the Code of Canon Law . Latin Catholic bishops also must make regular ad limina visits to

1235-461: Is seen as a means of providing for continuity of church leadership. Until recent times, there was the possibility of a coadjutor bishop not having the right of succession. A bishop who holds an office that does not require episcopal ordination, notably either the Prelate of a personal prelature or a territorial prelature. When a diocesan bishop, archbishop, or auxiliary bishop retires, he is given

1300-567: Is the monastic habit with a panagia and, depending on rank, also a pectoral cross and a second panagia. When attending liturgical functions at which he does not celebrate, a bishop may wear a mantya , panagia and an engolpion if he is a patriarch or metropolitan bishop . He will also carry a pastoral staff in the form of a walking stick topped by a pommel . No episcopal ring exists in the Byzantine Rite. Diocesan bishop A diocesan bishop , within various Christian traditions,

1365-554: The Mass or Divine Liturgy . In order to offer Mass or Divine Liturgy publicly, however, a priest is required to have permission from the local Ordinary—authority for this permission may be given to pastors of parishes for a limited period, but for long-term permission recourse to the diocesan bishop is usually required. A celebret may be issued to travelling priests so that they can demonstrate to pastors and bishops outside of their own diocese that they are in good standing. However, even if

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1430-712: The Mass of the Chrism . Though Oil of the Sick for the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is blessed at this Mass, it may also be blessed by any priest in case of necessity. Only a bishop may consecrate Chrism. In the Eastern Catholic Churches chrism is consecrated solely by heads of churches sui juris (patriarchs and metropolitans) and diocesan bishops may not do so. Only a bishop or other ordinary may grant nihil obstats for theological books, certifying that they are free from doctrinal or moral error; this

1495-582: The Mediterranean Sea which received the Christian faith early are rather compact in size, while those in areas more recently evangelized, as in some parts of Sub-Saharan Africa , South America and the Far East , tend to be much larger and more populous. Within his own diocese a Latin Church bishop may use pontifical vestments and regalia, but may not do so in another diocese without, at least,

1560-828: The United States , most doctors of divinity hold a degree conferred honoris causa by a church-related college, seminary, or university to recognize the recipient's achievements as a minister of religion. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. graduated as a Ph.D. in systematic theology from Boston University in 1955 and subsequently received honorary doctor of divinity degrees from the Chicago Theological Seminary (1957), Boston University (1959), Wesleyan College (1964), and Springfield College (1964). Billy Graham , who received honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees from The King's College and

1625-560: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , was regularly addressed as "Dr. Graham", though his highest earned degree was a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology from Wheaton College . Under federal law , a 1974 judgement accepted expert opinion that an "honorary doctor of divinity is a strictly religious title with no academic standing. Such titles may be issued by bona fide churches and religious denominations, such as plaintiff Universal Life Church , so long as their issuance

1690-544: The University of Oxford , doctors of divinity are ranked first in "academic precedence and standing", while at the University of Cambridge they rank ahead of all other doctors in the "order of seniority of graduates". In some countries, such as in the United States, the degree of doctor of divinity is usually an honorary degree and not a research or academic degree. In the United Kingdom and Ireland ,

1755-431: The cope . Within his own diocese and when celebrating solemnly elsewhere with the consent of the local ordinary , he also uses the crosier . When celebrating Mass , a bishop, like a priest , wears the chasuble . The Caeremoniale Episcoporum recommends, but does not impose, that in solemn celebrations a bishop should also wear a dalmatic , which can always be white, beneath the chasuble, especially when administering

1820-513: The pontifical university system, a holder of the highest earned degree in Catholic theology is styled " Doctor of Sacred Theology " (in Latin, Sacrae Theologiae Doctor , abbreviated STD). A doctor of divinity should not be confused with a Doctor of Theology (Th.D.), the holder of a research doctorate in theology awarded by universities and divinity schools . However, many universities award

1885-461: The Catholic Church the presiding priest will administer Confirmation. In the Eastern Catholic Churches, Confirmation (called Chrismation ) is normally administered by priests as it is given at the same time as baptism . It is only within the power of the diocesan or eparchial bishop to bless churches and altars , although he may delegate another bishop, or even a priest, to perform the ceremony. On Holy Thursday Latin Catholic bishops preside over

1950-456: The Catholic Church — is entrusted with the pastoral care of a local Church ( diocese ), over which he holds ordinary jurisdiction. He is responsible for teaching, governing, and sanctifying the faithful of his diocese, sharing these duties with the priests and deacons who serve under him. The Holy See can appoint a coadjutor bishop for a diocese. He has special faculties and the right of succession. The diocesan bishop may request that

2015-408: The Catholic Church, including the following: A priest who has been appointed as bishop or a diocesan bishop appointed as archbishop, but before assuming office or installation . A titular bishop (or titular archbishop) is a/an (arch)bishop who is not (arch)bishop of a/an (arch)diocese; unless (since 1970) he is coadjutor or emeritus, he is assigned to a titular see , which is usually the name of

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2080-491: The Churches of the East, while remembering the necessary unity of the whole Church, have the power to govern themselves according to the disciplines proper to them, since these are better suited to the character of their faithful, and more for the good of their souls. The everyday dress of Latin Church bishops may consist of a black (or, in tropical countries, white) cassock with amaranth trim and purple fascia , along with

2145-539: The College of Bishops as a group is the successor of the College of Apostles. The Church also holds that uniquely among the apostles , Saint Peter , the first Bishop of Rome, was granted a role of leadership and authority, giving the pope the right to govern the Church together with the bishops. Hence, the Church holds that the Bishop of Rome, as successor of Peter, possesses the role, uniquely among bishops, of speaking for

2210-456: The Gospel and Catholic education in all its forms; (2) oversee and provide for the administration of the sacraments; and (3) legislate, administer and act as judge for canon-law matters within his diocese. He serves as the "chief shepherd " (spiritual leader) of the diocese and has responsibility for the pastoral care of all Catholics living within his ecclesiastical and ritual jurisdiction. He

2275-690: The Greek Church. The word is used in the New Testament Epistle to the Hebrews to mean " high priest " (Heb 2:17; 3:1; 4:14,15; 5:1,5,10; 6:20; 7:26,27,28; 8:1,3; 9:7,11,25; 19:11; 13:11). Doctor of Divinity A Doctor of Divinity ( DD or DDiv ; Latin : Doctor Divinitatis ) is the holder of an advanced academic degree in divinity . In the United Kingdom, it is considered an advanced doctoral degree. At

2340-496: The Holy See appoint one or more auxiliary bishops to assist him in his duties. When a diocesan bishop or auxiliary bishop retires, the word " emeritus " is added to his former title, i.e., "Archbishop Emeritus of ...", "Bishop Emeritus of ...", or "Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of ...". Examples of usage are: "The Most Reverend (or Right Reverend) John Jones, Bishop Emeritus of Anytown"; and "His Eminence Cardinal James Smith, Archbishop Emeritus of Anycity". The term "Bishop Emeritus" of

2405-460: The Holy See every five years. Because of their function as teachers of the faith, it is customary in some English-speaking countries to add to the names of bishops the postnominal title of "D.D." ( Doctor of Divinity ) and to refer to and address them as "Doctor". Only a bishop has authority to confer the sacrament of holy orders. In the Latin Church the minor orders were abolished after

2470-588: The Latin and Eastern churches of the Catholic Church. Bishops are always men. In addition, canon 180 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches requires that a candidate for the Eastern episcopacy should (canon 378 § 1 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law states almost the same requirements): The traditional role of a bishop is to act as head of a diocese or eparchy. Dioceses vary considerably in geographical size and population. A wide variety of dioceses around

2535-599: The Roman Curia. Recent popes have appointed a few priests, most of them renowned theologians, to the College of Cardinals, and these have been permitted to decline episcopal consecration. Examples include Karl Becker in 2012 and Ernest Simoni in 2016. An archbishop is the head of an archdiocese, or a bishop assigned a titular see which is an archdiocese. A metropolitan is an archbishop with minor jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province ; in practice this amounts to presiding at meetings and overseeing dioceses within

2600-527: The Second Vatican Council. In Eastern Catholic Churches, a monastic archimandrite may tonsure and institute his subjects to minor orders; however, the tonsure and minor orders are not considered to be part of the sacrament of holy orders. The sacrament of Confirmation is normally administered by a bishop in the Latin Church, but a bishop may delegate the administration to a priest. In the case of receiving an adult into full communion with

2665-450: The age of 75. On 31 October 1970, Pope Paul VI decreed that "diocesan bishops or archbishops of the Latin rite who resign are no longer transferred to a titular church, but instead continue to be identified by the name of the see they have resigned." A cardinal is a bishop or archbishop appointed by the Pope to serve in the College of Cardinals . Members of the College aged under 80 elect

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2730-597: The bull Apostolicae curae , the Catholic Church has not recognised Anglican orders as valid, because of changes in the ordination rites that took place in the 16th century as well as divergence in the understanding of the theology of episcopacy and Eucharist. However, this view has since been complicated because Old Catholic bishops, whose orders are fully recognised as valid by Rome, have acted as co-consecrators in Anglican episcopal consecrations. According to

2795-628: The church historian Timothy Dufort, by 1969 all Church of England bishops had acquired Old Catholic lines of apostolic succession fully recognised by the Holy See. The Catholic Church does recognize, as valid but illicit , ordinations done by some independent Catholic groups such as the Old Catholic Church of the Utrecht Union and the Polish National Catholic Church , so long as those receiving

2860-497: The church's honorary doctor of divinity degree was "...just a little piece of paper. And it ain't worth anything, you know, under God's mighty green Earth—you know what I mean?—as far as value." In 2006, Universal Life Church minister Kevin Andrews advised potential degree recipients not to misrepresent the title as an educational achievement to employers, recommending instead that it would be appropriate to list such credentials "under

2925-538: The degree is a higher doctorate conferred by universities upon a religious scholar of standing and distinction, usually for accomplishments beyond the PhD level. At the University of Oxford, doctors of divinity are ranked first in "academic precedence and standing". At the University of Cambridge, they rank ahead of all other doctors in the "order of seniority of graduates". Typically, an academic candidate will submit

2990-423: The dioceses they will lead, and not as titular bishops), auxiliary bishops , nuncios or similar papal diplomats (usually archbishops), officials of the Roman Curia (usually for bishops as heads or deputies of departments who are not previous ordinaries), etc. They may also hold other positions such as cardinal. The see of titular bishop is only nominal, not pastoral- meaning he does not exercise final authority as

3055-486: The express permission of the Holy See . The appointment of bishops in the Catholic Church is a complicated process that requires the participation of several officials. In the Latin Church, the local synod, the papal nuncio (or apostolic delegate), various dicasteries of the Roman Curia, and the Pope all take a part; since the 1970s it has become common practice for the nuncio to solicit input from clergy and laity within

3120-472: The graces of the sacrament; thus, although it is normally an ordained person who officiates at a marriage ceremony, a bishop may delegate a lay person to be present for the exchange of vows; this would be done only in extreme cases such as in mission territories. In the Eastern tradition, the clergy not only witness the exchange of vows but must impart a blessing for a valid marriage to have taken place. Unless

3185-440: The head bishop (the ordinary), or have the right to automatically succeed the aforementioned individual (the coadjutor), over an existing diocese or archdiocese or their Eastern rite equivalents, (arch-)eparchies. Titular bishops may be active or retired. Occasionally, as a priest, they may have been given a titular bishopric or archbishopric as an honor by the Pope, similar to when he names some cardinals. A diocesan bishop — in

3250-405: The heading of Titles, Awards, or Other Achievements" on curricula vitae . As of 2009, 20 U.S. states and Puerto Rico had some form of exemption provision under which religious institutions can grant religious degrees without accreditation or government oversight. In the Catholic Church , a doctor of divinity is usually the holder of an honorary degree, often conferred upon a bishop . In

3315-405: The honorary title of " emeritus " of the last see he served, i.e., archbishop emeritus, bishop emeritus, or auxiliary bishop emeritus of the see. "Emeritus" is not used for a titular see, but could be used for a/an (arch)bishop who has transferred to a non-(arch)diocesan appointment without actually being retired. Examples: Archbishop (or Bishop) Emeritus of Place". Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle , who

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3380-416: The local bishop; however, when the penitent is in danger of death, a priest has both the right and obligation to hear the confession no matter where he may be. To preside at matrimony ceremonies, Latin Church priests and deacons must have appropriate jurisdiction or delegation from a competent authority. In the Latin branch of the Catholic Church, the teaching is that it is the couple themselves who administer

3445-524: The ordination are baptized males and a valid rite of episcopal consecration—expressing the proper functions and sacramental status of a bishop—is used. The Holy See also recognises as valid the ordinations of the Eastern Orthodox , Old Catholic , Oriental Orthodox and Assyrian Nestorian churches. Regarding the Churches of the East, the Second Vatican Council stated: To remove, then, all shadow of doubt, this holy Council solemnly declares that

3510-424: The presumed consent of the appropriate ordinary. Since the Second Vatican Council of 1965 diocesan bishops and their equals "who have become less capable of fulfilling their duties properly because of the increasing burden of age or some other serious reason, are earnestly requested to offer their resignation from office either at their own initiative or upon the invitation of the competent authority." The age of 75

3575-519: The principles of that religious organization, or to courses offered pursuant to Section 2789 of Business and Professions Code" may confer "degrees and diplomas only in the beliefs and practices of the church, religious denomination, or religious organization" so long as "the diploma or degree is limited to evidence of completion of that education"; institutions "shall not award degrees in any area of physical science", while any degree or diploma granted under this subdivision shall contain on its face ...

3640-444: The province. In Eastern Catholicism a metropolitan may also be the head of an autocephalous , sui juris , or autonomous church when the number of adherents of that tradition is small. In the Latin Church, metropolitans are always archbishops; in many Eastern churches, the title is "Metropolitan," with some of these churches using "archbishop" as a separate office. The pope is the Bishop of Rome . The Catholic Church holds that

3705-416: The purple cassock with amaranth trim, rochet , purple zucchetto , purple biretta with a tuft, and pectoral cross . The cappa magna may be worn, but only within the bishop's own diocese and on especially solemn occasions. The mitre , zucchetto , and stole are generally worn by bishops when presiding over liturgical functions. For liturgical functions other than the Mass the bishop typically wears

3770-449: The right of succession, who assist the diocesan bishop or archbishop in a variety of ways and are usually appointed as vicars general or episcopal vicars of the (arch)diocese in which they serve. A coadjutor bishop is a/an (arch)bishop who is given almost equal authority to that of the diocesan bishop or archbishop; he has special faculties and the right to succeed the incumbent diocesan bishop or archbishop. The appointment of coadjutors

3835-550: The sacrament of holy orders , blessing an abbot or abbess, and dedicating a church or an altar. The Caeremoniale Episcoporum no longer makes mention of pontifical gloves , pontifical sandals , liturgical stockings (also known as buskins ), the maniple , or the accoutrements that it once prescribed for the bishop's horse. The everyday dress of Eastern Catholic bishops is often the same as their Latin Church counterparts: black clerical suit with pectoral cross or panagia . Traditionally, bishops are monks and so their everyday dress

3900-451: The same rule for non-cardinal bishops serving in the Roman Curia , who had previously lost their positions automatically at 75. A "diocesan bishop" is entrusted with the care of a local Church ( diocese ). He is responsible for teaching, governing, and sanctifying the faithful of his diocese, sharing these duties with the priests and deacons who serve under him. To "teach, sanctify and govern" means that he must (1) oversee preaching of

3965-472: The title to date, he held the title until his death on December 31, 2022. The title of patriarch in the Catholic Church is applied to either the patriarch of an Eastern Church sui iuris or to a minor Latin patriarch. The patriarch of an Eastern Church sui iuris heads an autonomous Church, is elected by the synod of that Church, and exercises authority within his patriarchal territory and on eparchies and parishes outside his territory. A minor Latin patriarch

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4030-416: The vacant diocese. In patriarchal and major archiepiscopal Eastern Churches, the permanent synod, the holy synod, and the patriarch or major archbishop also play a role in the selection of bishops. The Catholic Church has always taught that bishops are descended from a continuous line of bishops since the days of the apostles , which is known as apostolic succession . Since 1896, when Pope Leo XIII issued

4095-491: The whole Church, appointing other bishops, and managing the Church's central administration, the Roman Curia . Papal pronouncements which meet the requirements of the decree on papal infallibility of the First Vatican Council are infallible. On his resignation as pope (Bishop of Rome) on 28 February 2013, Benedict XVI became Supreme Pontiff Emeritus (or, colloquially, Pope Emeritus). The sole holder of

4160-566: Was promoted as prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples , became Archbishop Emeritus of Manila . Traditionally, (arch)bishops appointed ordinaries or auxiliaries served for life. When the rare resignation occurred, the bishop was assigned a titular see. The status of "emeritus" emerged after the Second Vatican Council when (arch)bishops were at first encouraged and then required to submit their resignations at

4225-514: Was suggested, and John Paul II had these provisions incorporated in the Latin Church 's new 1983 Code of Canon Law . Article 401.1 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law states that "A diocesan Bishop who has completed his seventy-fifth year of age is requested to offer his resignation from office to the Supreme Pontiff , who, taking all the circumstances into account, will make provision accordingly". On 15 February 2018, Pope Francis established

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