College of Consultors to elect administrator

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
February 26, 2004

When Bishop Daniel N. DiNardo officially takes canonical possession of his new office as the coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston during the March 26 Mass of Welcome in the Texas diocese, he no longer will be the administrator of the Diocese of Sioux City.

"At that moment, the Diocese of Sioux City becomes a sede vacante, Latin for a vacant see," explained Msgr. Michael D. Sernett, chancellor of the Diocese of Sioux City. "The Code of Canon Law states that the College of Consultors, which is a group of priests that have been appointed by the bishop of the diocese for the purpose of consultation, is required to be convoked by the priest who is senior in ordination for the purpose of electing a diocesan administrator."

The College of Consultors is the bishop's consultative body on administration and any advice that he asks of them. Presently, they meet monthly to handle the corporate resolutions that have been submitted to the diocese.

The consultors will meet for the purpose of electing a new administrator within eight days of March 26. Members of the consultors are Father Paul-Louis Arts, Msgr. Roger Augustine, Father Timothy Hogan, Msgr. Mervin Hood, Father Alfred McCoy, Father Victor Ramaeker, Father Robert Schimmer, Msgr. Michael D. Sernett and Father John Thomas.

"They will follow the process for elections as stated in the Code of Canon Law - canons 165 to 178 - and will elect a priest of the Diocese of Sioux City who is 35 years of age, of sound doctrine and prudent judgement," noted Msgr. Sernett. "These are the only requirements that the code gives."

The person elected must receive the absolute majority of the votes present at the meeting.

"The role of the diocesan administrator is to govern the diocese and to lead the administration of the diocese until such time as a new bishop takes canonical possession of the Diocese of Sioux City," explained the chancellor. "While he will have the governance of the diocese, he will not have all of the powers of the bishop."

For instance, the diocesan administrator will not be able to appoint pastors to parishes; however, he will be able to name parish administrators.

"Canon Law states that there are to be no innovations during this time. He is to maintain status quo - maintain the governance of the diocese on a day-to-day basis," said Msgr. Sernett. "He is not able to develop any new programs. That will be reserved for the new bishop."

The diocesan administrator, along with the College of Consultors, can issue dimissorial letters for calling a candidate to ordination but then the diocese will have to find a bishop to come in for the ordination.

The College of Consultors will continue to serve in a similar capacity and their roles may be somewhat expanded as there are some things that a diocesan administrator will not be allowed to do without consulting with this group of priests. It is anticipated that the administrator will call more frequent meetings with the consultors.

Msgr. Sernett, referred to the Code of Canon Law to describe the consultors, "They are appointed from the members of the Presbyteral Council and in a number not less than six or more than 12."

The Presbyteral Council is made up of a representation of all the priests of the diocese. In this diocese, the Presbyteral Council consists of one priest from each of the six deaneries and a representative from three groups with various years of ordination - 0 to 10 years, 11-30 years and 30-plus years. Members of this council are elected by the priests of the diocese. Another five priests - two retirees and three others are special appointees of the bishop.

Although some of the consultors are not current members of the Presbyteral Council, all were at the time they were selected by the bishop to serve as a consultor.

Msgr. Sernett pointed out that the present consultors have served in this capacity for a number of years, so they will be well-equipped to aid the new administrator in the decision-making process for the governance of the diocese until a new bishop is appointed.

"While the diocesan administrator is governing the diocese, the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, begins to gather information to select a new bishop," explained Msgr. Sernett. "There are two possibilities. The apostolic nuncio will begin to gather names, potential candidates for bishop. He may make a list of three bishops who are already auxiliary bishops somewhere in the United States or he may make a list of three priests who are qualified to serve potentially as a bishop."

These names will be sent to the Congregation of Bishops in Rome. After researching the possibilities, they will refine the list and present three names to the Pope John Paul II, who will make the selection.

Presently there are about 14 dioceses in the United States that are vacant sees and a number of bishops are slated for retirement. The chancellor noted that all of these factors will determine how long this process will take.

Bishop DiNardo was appointed coadjutor bishop of Galveston-Houston Jan. 16 by Pope John Paul II.

This is the first time in the diocese's 102-year history that it has been without a bishop.

"We must continue to support one another not only in prayer, but also with patience during this time that we do not have a chief shepherd," said Msgr. Sernett. "During this period, the role of the laity should be to continue to pray for the diocesan administrator who will be elected as well as for the Holy Father as he selects a new bishop."