Why Doesn't the Pope Do Something about "Bad" Bishops?

Catholic.com ^ | July 2007 | Fr. Robert Johansen

[NYer]

Fr. Robert Johansen is pastor of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in the diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was ordained in August 2001 after priestly formation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. He studied classical and patristic Greek and Latin at the Catholic University of America. He has been involved in pro-life work since college and was closely involved with the efforts to save Terri Schiavo. His articles have appeared in Crisis, Catholic World Report, and National Review Online.

[NYer]

Catholic Ping
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[Frank Sheed]

Prayer for the Bishop

Heavenly Father,
in these trying times
when the spirit of the age
threatens Christian values,
give our bishop holiness of life
and wisdom to direct and guide our (arch)diocesan
family so that we may grow in your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

[Salvation]

Prayers for all the bishops.

And prayers for the intention of the Holy Father. I’m sure these bishops are in his prayers.

I know several are being replaced soon.

[ConsistentLibertarian]

Does the Bishop of Rome have the authority under Canon Law to “depose” the Bishop of another Diocese?

[TaxachusettsMan]

Father celebrating the demise of another horrendous bishop! Although given the number, I doubt that it would be possible to celebrate EACH ONE without serious damage to one's health.

[ConsistentLibertarian]

“I know several are being replaced soon.”

Do you know if Georg has found anyone competent to look over his papers before he gives them?

[ConsistentLibertarian]

Looking at the picture, I’d say he’s done enough to damage his health already.

[Aquinasfan]

Thanks for posting this important article. It’s a question I have asked myself. I’m convinced by the argument.

[marshmallow]

Ping for a later read!

[dsc]

Our bishop is on the wrong side of the illegal alien issue.

Any suggestions?

[NYer]

Our bishop is on the wrong side of the illegal alien issue. Any suggestions?

Yes ... pray for him!

[ConsistentLibertarian]

” It’s a question I have asked myself. I’m convinced by the argument.”

Did you ever ask yourself whether the Bishop of Rome has any authority, under canon law, to depose another Bishop?

‘Cause

(1) His entire argument depends on that point. Everything else he says is irrelevant unless he can make good on it.

(2) In support he cites only “CIC 377, 401–402”.

(3) They don’t say what he claims they do.

Yet he managed to convince you anyways.

How very interesting.

[trisham]

Excellent article, NYer. I would guess that Fr. Johansen must be a wonderful and beloved pastor.

[Publius6961]

As a Catholic, I am embarrassed by this article.
This part particularly rankled me:

Canon law stipulates that only the pope can appoint or depose (remove) a bishop (CIC 377, 401–402). Given the nature of the sacrament of holy orders and the spiritual identity of the bishop as father to the people of his diocese, one might expect that papal intervention in the affairs of local dioceses would be rare. A perusal of Church history bears this out. While some Catholics may desire to see the pope "clean house" and remove a number of inadequate bishops en masse, you’d be hard pressed to find historical precedent for that kind of sweeping measure.

What a lame excuse! It's never been done before so it shouldn't ever be done.
Better, I suppose, to fleece the flock of a billion and a half$ to maintain a formerly unremarkable, but now fatally self-destroying tradition!

[ConsistentLibertarian]

“It’s never been done before so it shouldn’t ever be done[?]”

You’re quite right. The Good Father Johansen couldn’t make a decent a decent argument if his life depended on it.

But it’s much, much worse than you feared. If you track down his reference to “CIC 377, 401–402” you’ll find he can’t read either.

Heh. The Pope can’t write. Must be something in the water.

[NYer]

Excellent article, NYer. I would guess that Fr. Johansen must be a wonderful and beloved pastor.

When the Terri Schiavo debaucle was raging, Fr. Johanssen got special permission to drive from Michigan down to Florida to be with the Schiavo family. He ministered to them and Terri on several occasions, at great personal expense. God bless him and his ministry!

[steve8714]

One a day for a year should take care of the US and Canada.

[trisham]

When the Terri Schiavo debaucle was raging, Fr. Johanssen got special permission to drive from Michigan down to Florida to be with the Schiavo family. He ministered to them and Terri on several occasions, at great personal expense. God bless him and his ministry!

******************

Yes. He must have been a great comfort to them.

[bethelgrad]

Cigar and a glass of wine! What a great way to end the day (Or start it). My kind of priest :)