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Q&A: Vice chancellor talks about Bishop Conley’s new role
By Roxanne King
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J.D. Flynn |
On Sept. 8, the Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops announced that due to the appointment of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., as archbishop of Philadelphia, Bishop James D. Conley has been named apostolic administrator of the Denver Archdiocese. (Click here to read the official decree, provided below. Click here to read Bishop Conley's first column as apostolic administrator.)
Denver Vice Chancellor J.D. Flynn spoke with the Denver Catholic Register about what this change means.
Q: Bishop James Conley has been named apostolic administrator of the Denver Archdiocese. What is an “apostolic administrator”?
A: An apostolic administrator is appointed by the Holy Father to lead a diocese during the “sede vacante” (vacant see) period between bishops. He is often entrusted with the authority of the diocesan bishop to teach, sanctify and govern the people of God.
Q: What does this mean for the people of the Denver Archdiocese?
A: This means that God is calling us to continue in our ministry of evangelization, catechesis and pastoral care. Bishop Conley’s appointment is a sure sign of the vitality and dynamism of the Archdiocese of Denver, and a reminder of the care the Holy Spirit takes of the people of God.
Q: How does this affect the local curia, for example, the vicars general?
A: Because we are in a sede vacante period, some offices become automatically vacant. The judicial vicar keeps his job, but vicars general and episcopal vicars no longer hold those offices. This allows the new bishop to freely appoint those men whom he wishes to appoint, freely. However, we are operating in a “ministry-as-usual” mode because the former vicars are continuing in their function in an interim way until a new archbishop is appointed.
Q: Is there any idea on how quickly the archdiocese might get a new archbishop?
A: There is discernment at the level of the apostolic nunciature, which is the pope’s representative in the United States, and the Vatican Congregation for Bishops before the Holy Father himself chooses a new archbishop. The process can take a while. Generally, we might expect a period between eight months to a year, if not longer.
Q: How long can the archdiocese go without an archbishop?
A: We have good strong leaders, wonderful priests, and an excellent staff collaborating with the mission of the Church. With or without an archbishop, this is a time when we all are called to continue in our Christian mission.
Q: Is there anything you would like to add?
A: The Archdiocese of Denver, Bishop Conley, and the Holy Father need our prayers. The best thing we can do is pray for our current leadership, and our next archbishop, and continue in the work of the new evangelization in northern Colorado.
Official Decree
Denver: On the Appointment of the Apostolic Administrator
In order to provide for governance in the Metropolitan Church of Denver, which was made vacant after the appointment of its previous bishop, Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., as Archbishop of Philadelphia;
The Supreme Pontiff, who is by Divine Providence Benedict XVI, by this decree of the Congregation for Bishops,
Does establish, on this day, and until a new archbishop shall take possession of the see, the Most Rev. James Douglas Conley, titular bishop of Cissa and Auxiliary Bishop of Denver, as Apostolic Administrator “sede vacante” of the aforementioned Church, and grants him the duties, rights, and faculties given to diocesan bishops in accord with the canons, taking into account n. 244 of the directory for the Pastoral Ministry of Bishops, “Apostolurum Successores.”
Anything to the contrary of this decree notwithstanding.
Given at Rome, from the office of the Congregation for Bishops, on the 8th day of the month of September, in the year 2011.
Cardinal Marc Oulett, PSS
Prefect
Sacred Congregation for Bishops
- Read Bishop Conley's newspaper column: "Be not afraid: The Gospel goes on in us"
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