The Catholic Message Board

In 2022, our bishop turned 75 and submitted his resignation to the Pope. In the last week, a new bishop was named, but since he has not yet been ordained a bishop (which will happen on May 1), he is not yet a bishop, and technically, we have no bishop since the former bishop's resignation has been accepted, but until the new bishop is ordained, he is staying on as an administrator from now until May 1, although he is not allowed to make any major decisions since he is on the way out and these decisions would be the responsibility of the new bishop. He is mentioned by name in Mass as our bishop. The soon-to-be new bishop is being called "Bishop-elect." is this the right term? It makes it sound like it is an elected position rather than an appointed one. "Bishop-designate" or a similar term would seem more appropriate.

Of course, there is no such thing as a "former bishop" since episcopal ordination is for life, but there doesn't seem to be a better term.

Bishop Emeritus for the retired bishop.

3 years seems a long time to appoint a new bishop.
Ours just submitted his resignation about 2 - 3 weeks ago. Wonder how long it might take. With Pope Francis being sick, I wonder if a replacement would be put on hold or not.

Bishop-elect is the correct term. Remember that "elect" means "choose."

anawim wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 4:08 pm 3 years seems a long time to appoint a new bishop.

Closer to a little more than 2 years. It is not unusual, Cardinal O'Connor of New York submitted his resignation in 1995, but he died at 80, five years later, before the Pope had either accepted it or appointed a successor.