This morning (Tuesday) the word got out that Msgr. Francis I. Malone, pastor of Christ the King Church in Little Rock has been named by Pope Francis to be the new bishop of Shreveport, Louisiana. For the few who may not know, he is the nephew of one of the former beloved pastors of Sacred Heart Church, Msgr. Bernard Malone, of happy memory. As far as I know, he is only the third priest of the Diocese of Little Rock to become a bishop. I am sure there are some who wonder what goes into the choice of a priest to be a bishop?
I have never seen anything written (that can be read at least by you and me on the subject) that goes through the process of choosing someone to be a bishop. Having said that, I offer some things that I am pretty sure take place when a bishop is needed for a diocese. Firstly, it is the Papal Nuncio to the United States that is responsible for bringing resumes and recommendations to the pope who makes the final decision for someone to become a bishop. I believe he is helped by a committee that has names of priests in the United States that bishops throughout our country have submitted as those they believe have the qualities and skills that are needed both as pastors and administrators to be the chief shepherd of a diocese. Candidates also might be surfaced from inquiries that are sent out to priests of a diocese asking if they know of a brother priest who might be a good bishop. I received one of these when I was a young priest, but given the long form that has to be filled out which asked many questions in detail about my knowledge of priests that I would recommend, I never filled it out since as a young priest, I could not have given good and complete answers to the questions about any of our priests at the time. I am pretty sure a candidate to be a bishop, has to have an advanced degree beyond the Master of Divinity Degree that all men must have to be ordained a priest. I am sure that the demographics of each diocese is a factor in who is appointed where. If the diocese is very large in numbers of Catholics then usually a current bishop is asked to leave their (usually smaller diocese) and serve as a bishop of the diocese that is open. When a diocese is smaller, then a priest is usually selected to be ordained a bishop and serve in that diocese. Of course, much time and prayer is spent by many before a candidate is presented to the pope (and I'm sure the pope prays for guidance before making a decision). If you are wondering, a priest who is called by the Papal Nuncio of a country can say "no, thank you" and I am sure if that is their inclination, they give reasons why they feel unable or unwilling to accept the appointment.
Let us all pray for Msgr. Malone who is to be ordained a bishop in Shreveport on January 28 and pray for those who have the awesome responsibility to surface and recommend candidates to present to the pope (as well as the pope himself). Finally, let us pray for our bishop, Anthony Taylor, who is losing a long-time and hardworking priest who was pastor of one of the largest parishes in our diocese.
I have never seen anything written (that can be read at least by you and me on the subject) that goes through the process of choosing someone to be a bishop. Having said that, I offer some things that I am pretty sure take place when a bishop is needed for a diocese. Firstly, it is the Papal Nuncio to the United States that is responsible for bringing resumes and recommendations to the pope who makes the final decision for someone to become a bishop. I believe he is helped by a committee that has names of priests in the United States that bishops throughout our country have submitted as those they believe have the qualities and skills that are needed both as pastors and administrators to be the chief shepherd of a diocese. Candidates also might be surfaced from inquiries that are sent out to priests of a diocese asking if they know of a brother priest who might be a good bishop. I received one of these when I was a young priest, but given the long form that has to be filled out which asked many questions in detail about my knowledge of priests that I would recommend, I never filled it out since as a young priest, I could not have given good and complete answers to the questions about any of our priests at the time. I am pretty sure a candidate to be a bishop, has to have an advanced degree beyond the Master of Divinity Degree that all men must have to be ordained a priest. I am sure that the demographics of each diocese is a factor in who is appointed where. If the diocese is very large in numbers of Catholics then usually a current bishop is asked to leave their (usually smaller diocese) and serve as a bishop of the diocese that is open. When a diocese is smaller, then a priest is usually selected to be ordained a bishop and serve in that diocese. Of course, much time and prayer is spent by many before a candidate is presented to the pope (and I'm sure the pope prays for guidance before making a decision). If you are wondering, a priest who is called by the Papal Nuncio of a country can say "no, thank you" and I am sure if that is their inclination, they give reasons why they feel unable or unwilling to accept the appointment.
Let us all pray for Msgr. Malone who is to be ordained a bishop in Shreveport on January 28 and pray for those who have the awesome responsibility to surface and recommend candidates to present to the pope (as well as the pope himself). Finally, let us pray for our bishop, Anthony Taylor, who is losing a long-time and hardworking priest who was pastor of one of the largest parishes in our diocese.