The pope is the one who is responsible for appointing a bishop to a diocese. This can be a time-consuming process, often taking eight months or more to complete. This process takes place in multiple stages.
Each year, every bishop may submit to the archbishop of his province the names of priests that he thinks would serve well as bishops. Following a discussion among the bishops at their annual provincial meeting, a vote is taken on which names would be formally recommended. The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux belongs to the Province of New Orleans and consists of the bishops of the State of Louisiana. This vote is forwarded to the apostolic nuncio in Washington, D.C. The nuncio is the papal representative to the United States. He is responsible for overseeing the final list of names that is forwarded to Rome. He gathers facts and information about potential candidates and interprets that information for the Vatican.
When a diocese is in need of a bishop, a report is requested from the current bishop or administrator on the conditions and needs of the diocese. Previous bishops may also be consulted, as well as other bishops of the province and United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) officials.
Taking all of this information, the nuncio narrows his list of possible candidates, and a questionnaire is sent to 20-30 people who know each of the candidates for their input. Three candidates are then listed alphabetically with the nuncio’s preference noted, and these materials are forwarded to the Congregation for Bishops in Rome.
Once the prefect of the Congregation approves the documentation, a “cardinal relator” is chosen to make a report to the Congregation to discuss possible appointments and take a vote.
In an audience with the pope, the prefect presents the recommendations of the Congregation to the Holy Father. A few days later, the pope informs the Congregation of his decision. The Congregation then notifies the nuncio, who in turn contacts the chosen candidate and asks if he will accept.
If the answer is “yes,” the Vatican is notified, and a date is set for the announcement. Again, it often takes eight months or longer from the time a diocese becomes vacant until a new bishop is appointed.
(Very Rev. Jay L. Baker, J.C.L., is the chancellor for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and pastor of the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma.)