The Bishops are required to submit the letter, the Pope is not required to accept it until he is ready to accept it.There was a Bishop in Florida several years ago that it was accepted the second it was submitted, but several others have had the letters ignored for a number of years.
Benedict has avoided uneven application of the rule, however. John Paul used to let key people stay on for years, but while Benedict will spend some time seeking the ideal replacement, he’s retired “favorites” fairly close to 75.
Benedict has avoided uneven application of the rule, however. John Paul used to let key people stay on for years, but while Benedict will spend some time seeking the ideal replacement, he’s retired “favorites” fairly close to 75.
... the exception seems to be remote and Eastern churches.
The North Korean bishop is 105! Istanbul’s is 92; the Antiochan (Turkey) auxiliary bishop is 89; Iraq’s archbishop is 84; Lebanon’s is 80; France’s Ukranian rite’s is 82; Samoa’s is 83.
Oh, please, Lord, let this local Archbishop retire — and send us a staunch and orthodox one that does know the rules and doesn’t play the middle of the road.