In my experience over the last 11 years as a priest in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, our diocese has experienced two vacant sees. The first vacant see was a result of the resignation of Bp. John J. Leibrecht, who upon reaching age 75 is required to resign his office (c. 401 §1). The second and most recent vacancy will occur as a result of a transfer of the diocesan bishop, Bp. James V. Johnston, and his subsequent installation as Bishop of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph on Nov. 4, 2015.

Upon Bp. Johnston’s transfer, two stages occur: First, there is the notice of the transfer and then he takes possession of the new diocese.

The announcement of the transfer was made on Sept. 15, 2015. This notice resulted in a change of status for the Church in Southern Missouri. With the transfer, Bp. Johnston lost his title as our diocesan bishop. Rather, he obtained the power of a diocesan administrator (c. 418 §2, 1°). On Nov. 4, 2015, when Bp. Johnston takes possession of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, our diocese will become a “vacant see.”

As soon as Bp. Johnston takes possession of Kansas City-St. Joseph and until the Diocesan Administrator for Springfield-Cape Girardeau is named, the diocesan College of Consultors assumes governance of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The consultors are priests incardinated or working in the diocese, selected from the Presbyteral Council by the bishop. Each priest has a term of five years. The College of Consultors for our diocese are: Msgr. Thomas Reidy, chancellor, Fr. David Dohogne, Fr. J. Friedel, Fr. Hank Grodecki, CM, Fr. David Hulshof, Fr. Tom Kiefer, and Fr. Allan Saunders.

Within eight days of the See becoming vacant, the election of the Diocesan Administrator by the College of Consultors must take place. Failure of a College of Consultors to fulfill this obligation would result in the appointment of the Diocesan Administrator by the Metropolitan Bishop, Abp. Robert J. Carlson of St. Louis.

The section of the Church law, the Code of Canon Law, in the norms on the College of Consultors itself, canon 502 §2, gives us some guidance on the election of the Diocesan Administrator: when a See is vacant, the priest who is senior in ordination in the College of Consultors presides. According to our Diocesan Directory, Msgr. Thomas Reidy is senior in ordination, and he has the responsibility to convene the College for the election of the Diocesan Administrator. Msgr. Reidy will also preside over that election.

When the College is convened, the election itself must be conducted as a canonical election or the results are invalid. Prior to the elections, the qualifications required for election as a diocesan administrator should be reviewed (c. 425):

• Priest;
• Completed his 35th year of age;
• Outstanding in doctrine and prudence.

Canons 165-178 are to be strictly observed concerning the election. These canons state that Msgr. Reidy must notify all Consultors of the meeting date, time, and place; a majority of Consultors must be present for the election; voting by proxy is not permitted. Prior to the election, two Tellers are designated from the Consultors. Tellers collect the ballots and examine them before Msgr. Reidy to determine that the number of ballots corresponds to the number of electors. Tellers will also count the votes, and announce the number of votes each person has received. Election ballots are to be secret. The one receiving an absolute majority of votes, i.e., one more than half the votes cast, is declared elected by pronouncement of Msgr. Reidy, as presider. The entire electoral process is then committed to writing by one who is acting as secretary at the election, and then signed by the same secretary and Msgr. Reidy as a presider of the election, along with the two Tellers. These minutes are to be transcribed and kept in the diocesan archives.

Once the Diocesan Administrator is elected and accepts, he must make a profession of faith and then takes the oath of fidelity in the presence of the College of Consultors (c. 833, 4°). Immediately after election, the newly-elected Diocesan Administrator must inform the Apostolic Nuncio of his election (c. 422).

At the publication of this article, ours is the fourth diocese in the USA awaiting a new bishop. We are after the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, MN, and the Diocese of Superior, WI, and the Diocese of Salt Lake City, UT.

As a trained canon lawyer, I truly believe that the election of a diocesan administrator should be undertaken with reverence and sincerity. It should not only follow the fundamental requirements of the Code of Canon Law, but also include communal prayer prior to the election, such as adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

According to Luke, chapter 6, verses 12 and 13, before choosing his Apostles, Jesus went out into the mountains to pray. Jesus teaches all of us that prayer is the means by which we ought to have recourse in all serious reflections and elections. If we wish to be guided by the Holy Spirit, we must take counsel from the Father, and his Son has given us a perfect example.

Whoever is elected as our Diocesan Administrator, I pray that the Holy Spirit overshadows his ministry to guide him and make him firm in his baptismal decision to follow Christ’s way of love, justice, and mercy in the everyday service of those for whom he will be elected.

Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau in 2004, Fr. Skrzypek is pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, New Madrid, and Sacred Heart Parish in Caruthersville. As a canon lawyer, Fr. Skrzypek also serves the diocesan Marriage Tribunal as Defender of Bond.