The choice of the diocesan administrator: Eichstätt controls through the vacancy!

The choice of the diocesan administrator: Eichstätt controls through the vacancy!

It is an important moment for the diocese of Eichstätt: On Friday, June 13th, the active members of the Eichstätter Domkapitel are faced with the important task of choosing a new diocesan administrator. This step follows the resignation of the previous bishop, which usher in a transition process in the diocesan instruction. As reported Diocese of Eichstätt, the members of the cathedral chapter began to act within eight days after the Sedis vacancy, which started on June 8th.

The new diocesan administrator will temporarily take over the management of the diocese. It has almost the same rights and duties as an incumbent diocesan bishop, but with a decisive restriction: larger structural or pastoral changes are not allowed during this vacancy. So it is a transition period in which stability and continuity are to be preserved.

The role of the diocesan administrator

The tasks of the diocesan administrator are clearly outlined. In the sedis vacancy, in which there is no bishop in office, he is responsible and leads the diocese. If there is no auxiliary bishop, the consulting college will take over the management, while in Eichstätt the cathedral chapter makes the new direction of the diocese. The prerequisites for the office are quite clear: the chosen priest must be at least 35 years old and must not have been named for the vacant episcopal chair beforehand. In addition, with the acceptance of his election, he automatically gains office authority, without the necessary confirmation, as wikipedia.

A very important point is that the diocesan administrator must not make decisions during his term in office that restrict the future bishop. That sounds complicated, but is of great importance in practice for harmony within the diocese. Larger changes that could affect the future bishop are also not permitted.

a soothing light at the end of the tunnel

After the election of the diocesan administrator, a constant representative is determined that takes over the management of the episcopal ordinariate and in fact fulfills the role of a general vicar during the vacancy. Interestingly, the office of the previous general vicar automatically ends with the resignation of the bishop, which gives this temporary situation additional complexity.

parallel to the choice of the diocesan administrator, the cathedral chapter prepares a list of proposals for the future bishop. This list is transmitted to the Vatican, but the final decision on the appointment lies with the Pope, which is not bound to the proposal lists.

A concrete time for the appointment of the new bishop has not yet been determined, which means that the diocese is now waiting for clear announcements in this transitional process. The diocesan administrator will bear the important responsibility to guide the diocese at a time of uncertainty and to wait for what the future brings.

With these steps, the foundation for a reorientation in the diocese of Eichstätt is laid, while the community and those responsible hope to welcome a new bishop in their ranks.