Can I just say that I hate it when web addresses aren't converted to links
- end of editorial gripe.
Drew,
Father Anthony is essentially correct.
Under the current provisions of Canon Law, the Holy Synods of
sui iuris Churches only have the authority to elect or appoint hierarchs to Sees within the historical territories of the Patriarchate (or Major Archepiscopate in the case of Churches of that status). The authority of the Church's primatial hierarch in the diaspora is limited, technically, to matters liturgical. In the instance of a vacancy in the non-patriarchal territories, the Church's Holy Synod ordinarily chooses three names in order of preference and submits the list, called the
terna to Rome, which appoints the new bishop.
The Nuncio is present for the purpose of reading the proclamation of appointment. I can't speak for how this scenario is greeted in other of the
sui iuris Churches but, needless to say, Melkites being who we are, it isn't greeted with enthusiasm in ours. Certain subtleties transpire that, while they don't solve the issue, are intended to make a point.
While the Nuncio was certainly accorded all respect due him as a representative of the Pope, it was clear that as "a representative", his position was not equivalent to that of the Patriarch. Thus, in the carefully-crafted order of procession (reverse precedential order), the Nuncio succeeded the Eparchs-Emeritus and -Designate of Newton, but preceded the Patriarch, who processed alone.
After Prayers Before the Holy Doors, the Nuncio was invited by the Rector of the Cathedral, Father Protopresbyter Eugene, to read the
Bulla of Designation. Sayedna Cyril was then escorted to the Patriarchal Throne to be presented with the pastoral staff by His Beatitude, thereby installing/investing/enthroning him as Eparch.
One can dismiss these as "mere symbolism" and, to some extent they are, but to us it was and is important symbolism, maintaining our identity as best we can until such time as existing inequities are righted.
As Melkites, we are often characterized as "mavericks" or worse
and, in all humility, what we do or don't do is scrutinized, for better or worse. One Byzantine hierarch remarked afterwards that "only the Melkites could do what they did and get away with it - God bless them."
Let me offer a few examples from the installation/enthronement of Sayedna Cyril.
We decided to not separate bishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches (or even the Melkite bishops) from those of the Latin Church in procession. While technically correct (under Latin Church protocol), it isn't often done, as it becomes more difficult to disperse hierarchs to their proper places once they reach the Altar. We, however, deemed it to be of utmost importance to acknowledge the diversity and universality of the Church.
Similarly, we had all Eastern and Oriental Catholic bishops present, not merely those of the Byzantine Churches, concelebrate the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom. The intent was to acknowledge the particular unity of the Eastern and Oriental Churches with one another.
Eastern and Oriental Orthodox clergy in attendance did not process separately (before Catholic clergy, as called for by Latin protocol), but within the main body of clergy, according to whatever honorific dignity each was invested.
Orthodox hierarchs and those prelates present in representation of them were seated on the Solea, alongside the Nuncio, not in the congregational area. As someone said at the time, "it wouldn't be "Melkite" to do otherwise".
Particular precedence in procession was accorded to Vladyka Basil, versus other Latin and Eastern Metropolitans present, in recognition of his status as the primatial hierarch of a
sui iuris Church.
Particular precedence in procession was also accorded to the Latin Archbishop of Boston, not because of who he is (he was at the time himself relatively new to Boston), but because we hold that office in particular affection. Richard Cardinal Cushing, of blessed memory, late Latin Archbishop of Boston, was an incredible friend to Melkites and all Eastern Catholics in an era when many Latin bishops ignored us or worse. As someone put it, Latin Archbishops of Boston will forever be beneficiaries of the Cardinal's legacy of love.
The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of New England was unable to attend at the last minute. Had he been present, he too would have been given particular precedence in procession and would have been enthroned on the Solea next to the Nuncio. This also would have been an acknowledgement to the legacy of a predecessor, His Eminence Iakovos, of blessed memory, who during his years in Boston was a great friend to the Melkite Church and its clergy.
Anton,
Point well-taken. Unfortunately, those old adages, "tit-for-tat", "what's sauce for the goose, ..." , "what goes around, ...", don't apply
Mores the pity!
Many years,
Neil
