Who will be our next bishop?

by Father Gerald Meidl

The diocesan Worship and Spiritual Life Committee, recently discussed how we would welcome, celebrate, install and/or ordain our new bishop. We considered the ritual of installation and/or ordination of a bishop and came upon a good description of the office of bishop. In the course of that illumination the sample homily reads, By the laying on of hands, which confers the sacrament of orders in its fullness. That phrase reminded me of the three distinct ways that one might participate in the sacrament of Holy Orders. For example, I was ordained twice, I was ordained a transitional deacon (as opposed to a permanent deacon) June 3, 1973 and ordained to the order of presbyter (priest) June 2, 1974. I do not possess the sacrament of orders in its fullness because I am not a bishop.

So, if the person chosen to lead us as our next bishop is not already a bishop, he will be ordained and installed as our bishop. If the person chosen to lead us as our next bishop is already a bishop, he will only be installed as our bishop, not ordained.

The fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders is to become a bishop. An archbishop is one who is the head bishop of the province. He is the one who convenes and presides over the bishops meeting in the province, but he, too, is not ordained any more than the other bishops who gather around him. Although cardinals are honored bishops they are not ordained cardinals. Although the Holy Father is the leader of the church on earth, the bishop of Rome, he is no more ordained than the bishop who leads the New Ulm diocese. However, the bishop of Rome is automatically the "first among equals" of all the bishops of the world whom we call the Holy Father, the Pope. Attainment of that office is by way of consecration. The fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders is bishopric. There is no greater fullness of the sacrament.

There certainly are different roles of service among those who possess "the sacrament of orders in its fullness." The highest of those being the bishop of Rome whom we call the Holy Father, the Pope. Who will be our next bishop? That is the mystery, how the Holy Spirit is working through humans to make the best selection for us.

Fr. Jerry Meidl is a member of the diocesan Worship and Spiritual Life Committee and is pastor at Holy Redeemer, Marshall.