www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Election of Bishops in the BCC/GCC

Is election of bishops as in the OCA the norm in any of the Byzantine or Greek Catholic Churches?

In the Melkite, Ukrainian and Romanian Greek Catholic Churches the Synod elects new bishops. In the Ruthenian and Slovak Greek Catholic Churches the Council of Hierachs submits a list of three candidates to Rome for the Holy Father to make a selection. The Holy Father selects bishops for Greek Catholic Churches of Eparchy/Exarchate rank.

Thank you, Father Deacon.

I ran across this list at Damian Thompson's blog in London:

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/damian...he_vatican_uses_in_the_choice_of_bishops

Very interesting...as an Eastern Catholic, I wonder if this same questionnaire is used. I am especially curious about the questions concerning the hierarchs support for priestly celibacy...

I- PERSONAL
Appearance, health, application to work. Family's condition. Any predisposition to hereditary illnesses?

2- HUMAN QUALITIES
Intellectual abilities Temperament and character. Balance and Soundness of judgment. Sense of responsibility.

3- CHRISTIAN & PRIESTLY VIRTUES
Prudence, Fairness, spirit of faith and charity. Piety: daily celebration of the Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours. Marian devotion.

4- BEHAVIOUR
Moral integrity. How does he relate to people and to public authorities in the exercise of his priestly ministry?

5- CULTURAL FORMATION
Is he competent and up to date in Theology and other Ecclesiastical Sciences? General cultural attainment. Foreign languages. Works published.

6- ORTHODOXY
Doctrinal orientation. Loyalty to the Doctrine and Magisterium of the Church. In particular: the attitude of the candidate to the Documents of the Holy See on the Ministerial Priesthood, on the Priestly Ordination of Women, on marriage, on sexual Ethics and on Social Justice. Fidelity to the genuine Tradition of the Church and commitment to the authentic renewal promoted by Vatican 11, and adherence to the "Statement of Conclusions, 1998".

7- DISCIPLINE
Devotedness to the Holy Father, the Holy See and the Episcopal Hierarchy. Support for Priestly Celibacy and general and particular Laws of the Church. In particular: as to Liturgical and Clerical Discipline.

8- PASTORAL EXPERIENCE AND ATTITUDES
Evangelization and Catechesis: preaching and teaching. Aptitude for public speaking. Readiness to administer the Sacraments. Promotion of Vocations. Interest in the Missions and Ecumenical activities. Formation of lay people in the Family and Social fields of apostolate: of young people, of workers, defenders of human rights?

9- QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP
Does he have a capacity for leadership: for dialogue, for evoking and accepting collaboration, for analysis and programming, for making decisions and ensuring that they are carried through? Does he appreciate the role and collaboration of religious and lay people ( men and women )? Is he able to delegate and share responsibility? Has be shown an interest in the problems of the Universal as well as the local Church?

10- ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY
Does he exercise due care of the Church's property? Ability in administration. Sense of justice. Readiness to enlist the help of those experienced in such affairs?

11- PUBLIC IMAGE Has he gained the respect of his fellow clergy? Of the people and of the public authorities?

12- GENERAL OVERVIEW
Give a comprehensive judgment on the personality of the candidate and of his suitability for the episcopate. Indicate, if affirmative, whether he is particularly suited for appointment to a residential See, or as an Auxiliary Bishop. Or for work in an urban, rural, industrial or in other social context.

13- CONSULTATION
Please suggest the names of persons (ecclesiastic, religious, or lay) who can provide pertinent and useful information about the candidate. Please give names and addresses.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
1- a. Full name of the candidate.
b. Date and place of birth.
c. Names of parents.
d. Was he born in lawful wedlock?
2- a. Condition of his family: religious, moral, civil, economic; bodily and mental health.
a. In what Seminaries and other Institutes has he studied?
b. What were the results?
c. What academic grades did he achieve?
4- a. Is he the author of any publications?
b. If possible, indicate titles and editions.
5- a. Does he speak, or in any way know, foreign languages?
6- a. Date and place of priestly ordination.
b. Diocese or Religious Institute for which he was ordained.
c. Diocese in which he was born.
d. Diocese to which he now belongs.
e. Diocese of actual residence.
f If a Religious, indicate the province for which he was professed and the date of profession.
7- a. Ministries he has exercised and offices (ecclesiastical, academic, etc.) he has filled (place and dates).

Many moons ago, when I worked part time for an organisation that was supported by the local Diocese and they were needing a new bishop , all organisations that were based in the Curial Offices , as we were , were asked to put forward names for consideration - and we were asked to think about these areas listed above [ though not actually written out for us as specifically as those] as we considered our 'candidates'