News

When Bp. Zubik leaves, what happens next?

By Fr. John Doerfler
Diocesan Chancellor

	Diocesan College of Consultors -- Updated: 8/3/2007, 11:45 a.m. Central Time with corrections The College of Consultors is made up of eight priests appointed by the bishop, who serves as an ex-officio member along with Auxiliary Bishop Robert Morneau and Fr. John Doerfler, chancellor. Deacon Tim Reilly, director of administration, serves as a resource person. The eight members of the college may elect the administrator of the diocese if an administrator is not appointed by the pope. The consultors are: Fr. John Becker Msgr. Brian Coleman Fr. John Girotti Fr. Robert Karuhn Fr. Paul Paider Fr. Thomas Reynebeau Fr. Jeremiah Worman Fr. David Zimmerman
	Other items on Bishop Zubik: This issue: • Bishop: Still very much in charge until Sept. 28 • Editorial -- Bittersweet July 20, 2007 issue: • Letter from Bishop David Zubik   (en Español) • Pope names Bp. Zubik to head Diocese of Pittsburgh (New since print edition) • Photo slideshow: Bishop Zubik's time in Green Bay (New since print edition) Items posted July 18 as New since the print edition in July 6, 2007 issue: • Bp. David A. Zubik to return to Pittsburgh as its twelfth bishop   Sidebar: Biographical info. From Dec. 10, 2004 issue: • Special Section: Bishop Zubik's First Anniversary From Jan. 2, 2004 issue: • True to his word: New bishop on road again • New shepherd visits the Valley • Bridging the Gap column: Taking role of bridge builder Coverage of Bishop Zubik's installation as Bishop of Green Bay: • Dec. 19, 2003 Web issue • Dec. 12, 2003 Web issue Coverage of Bishop Zubik being named 11th bishop of Green Bay: • Nov. 7-21, 2003 coverage • Oct. 10-17, 2003 coverage

We give thanks to God for sending Bp. Zubik to the Diocese of Green Bay, and for the dedicated service he has offered to the People of God. Our prayers go with him as he answers the Lord's call to serve the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

What will happen to the Diocese of Green Bay when Bp. Zubik leaves, during this time of transition?

• First of all, Bp. Zubik is still the Bishop of Green Bay, until he is installed as the Bishop of Pittsburgh on September 28. At that time, the Diocese of Green Bay will become vacant until there is a new diocesan bishop.

• An administrator will be appointed to oversee the diocese while it is without a diocesan bishop. Similarly, when a pastor is transferred from one parish to another, an administrator is appointed to oversee the parish until a new pastor is appointed. Some may recall that Bp. Morneau was appointed Administrator of the Diocese of Green Bay when Bishop (now Cardinal) Adam Maida was transferred to Detroit. Bp. Morneau led the diocese well until Bp. Banks was installed as the Bishop of Green Bay.

• The administrator of a diocese is appointed in one of two ways. Either the Holy See will appoint an administrator, most likely by Sept. 28, or, within eight days after Bp. Zubik is installed as the Bishop of Pittsburgh, an administrator will be elected by the diocesan College of Consultors, a group of diocesan priests that advises the bishop on important matters. The administrator of a diocese can be a bishop or a priest.

• While the administrator oversees the diocese, all the ministry of the diocese continues, such as: the Advancing the Mission Campaign, the Catholic Education Strategic Plan, Evangelization efforts; Vocation work, the Commissioned Ministry Program, the work of Catholic Charities, etc. However, no new initiatives can be launched, until there is a new Bishop of Green Bay. For example, there will be no parish mergers.

• In addition, the Administrator of the diocese would appoint priests as administrators of parishes, and not as pastors. Furthermore, two advisory councils to the bishop, the Presbyteral Council and the Diocesan Pastoral Council, are suspended until there is a new bishop.

It will be important to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the process for the appointment of a new diocesan bishop. The Congregation for Bishops at the Vatican and the Apostolic Nuncio (the Holy Father's representative to the United States) initiate an extensive consultation process to present possible candidates for the Bishop of Green Bay to Pope Benedict, who will appoint the next Bishop. God has already chosen in his heart the new Bishop of Green Bay. Let us join our hearts in prayer that the Church discerns who God's choice is.