more to the history

By Fr. Wilson ( articles ) | May 05, 2003

Yes, but there is even more to the history than that, I think, Jeff.

It was always our understanding that for much of Tschoepe's reign, whole areas of administration had been removed from his purview and given to the Vicar General, Robert Rehkemper. That was how they got around the delicate question of a bishop not quite able to perform in some areas. I think the usual answer to Domenico's question is the coadjutor option: appoint a coadjutor who is then given whole areas of responsibility (finances, seminary formation, tribunal) which then are no longer under the Diocesan.

But I still believe that the Pope can remove a bishop. Canon 416 says that a see becomes vacant upon death, resignation accepted by the Holy See, transfer, "or by deprivation noted to the bishop."

Well, whom do you think would be doing the 'depriving' and 'notifying?' It's not me -- I'd have done about 310 of these things already and would just be pausing to catch my breath (somehow, I don't think it's Fr Mankowski either!).