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Q: How does one become a bishop? Is it true that a cardinal is also a bishop? (Ed)
Dear Ed:
Within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, in terms of Holy Orders, there are three levels: bishops, priests and deacons. Cardinals are bishops who have been chosen by the Pope to be his special advisers and assistants in the administration of Church affairs, and are often known as the Princes of the Church. Those cardinals who work in the various departments of the Vatican are known as the Papal Curia. On the death of a Pope, the cardinals have the task of electing the new Pope, customarily someone from within their own ranks, though not necessarily so. The Pope himself is a bishop, the Bishop of Rome, and holds the office of universal pastor of the Church. The papacy is an office, but is sacramentally not above the bishop.
A bishop is usually in charge of a diocese, a geographical area over which he has jurisdiction, though along with other bishops his interests extend to the whole Church The bishop is the spiritual leader of the faithful in his diocese, and is the superior of all the priests in his diocese, except those in religious orders. Some bishops are not given diocesan responsibilities, but are given special tasks, such as papal appointments, while others in very large dioceses or archdioceses, will be required to share diocesan duties, working under, say, a Cardinal Archbishop. In union with Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, the bishops are the successors of the Apostles. The priests and the deacons are the helpers of the bishop.
According to the Code of Canon Law, the laws used for governing the Church, at least every three years the bishops in an area (for example, a Bishops' Conference) must draw up a list of priests suitable for the episcopate and send the list to Rome. An individual bishop may also send in names of priests he considers worthy. Sometimes the Papal Nuncio, the Pope's ambassador to the country in question, will also be involved in recommending candidates. Canon Law stipulates that candidates must be at least 35 years of age , and "o utstanding 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; he must be held in good esteem, (be) a priest ordained for at least 5 years; hold a doctorate or a licentiate, or at least be well versed in sacred scripture, theology or canon law."
The final decision on the selection of the candidate is made by the Holy Father himself. A priest is ordained bishop in a special ceremony involving the laying on of hands by a bishop, and the recitation of special prayers of consecration.
God bless, Father Norbert