MINNESOTA
Canonical Consultation
07/21/2015
Jennifer Haselberger
The Chancery of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis recently issued two notices related to the status of the vacant see. Both are interesting in their own right, but the second notice (about the portraits of the resigned bishops) has a humorous element as well. It seems to suggest that parishes have been mailing the portraits back to the Chancery in a manner similar to what many faithful did when they received Archbishop Nienstedt’s DVD on the proposed marriage amendment. Kudos to the pastors of the parishes that thought of it.
MEMORANDUM
Date: July 20, 2015 To: All Clergy From: Susan Mulheron, JCL, Chancellor for Canonical Affairs Re: Status of Vacant See
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Vicars and Consultative Bodies
Many questions have been asked about how our status of a vacant see will affect various positions and consultative bodies. After conferring with Archbishop Hebda on each of these matters, I offer the following update and clarifications for your reference:
Canonical Authority of the Apostolic Administrator:
In the mandate given to Archbishop Hebda by the Holy See, he has been granted the “rights, duties, and faculties” of a diocesan bishop. This means that for as long as he remains in office as Apostolic Administrator, he would theoretically be able to take some actions that a typical diocesan administrator sede vacante would not be able to take. There is nonetheless a general principle of canon law that while the see is vacant no innovations should be made, and Archbishop Hebda has indicated that it his desire to abide by that as much as possible. It may be the case, however, that for the good of this local Church he will need to make some major decisions (e.g., when required by the Reorganization process or criminal proceedings that are currently underway). In general, if Archbishop Hebda is able to prudently defer a decision to the next Archbishop, he has stated that he intends to do so. During the vacant see, you may experience some delay in decisions that require the approval of the Archbishop, or the decision may be deferred entirely.
Presbyteral Council:
As you probably know, during a vacant see, the Presbyteral Council ceases. The College of Consultors, however, remains in place, and is to fulfill the role of the Presbyteral Council. Archbishop Hebda has indicated he plans to convene the College in early August to seek their counsel on a number of matters.
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