Diocesan administrator

A diocesan administrator by the Canon Law, a priest who administered the diocese during the period of vacancy of an episcopal chair up to the reoccupation of the Office.

Church law states that there is always a senior managers in a diocese. During the vacancy of the episcopal see of the Diocese of the line comes first and immediately to the senior suffragan bishop over, until the appointment of the diocesan Administrator. Is not there an auxiliary bishop in the diocese, the power of governance is temporarily transferred to the College of Consultors. The diocesan administrator has the cathedral chapter, are elected within eight days by the College of Consultors, in Germany. For the office of diocesan Administrator canon law can be valid only ordered according to who is a priest, the thirty-fifth years of age and has not already been selected, appointed or presented for these vacant episcopal chair.

The diocesan Administrator obtains the acceptance of his elective office violence. He needs to be confirmed by anyone. However, the state governments of the federal states in which the diocese is to inform of the election; at the same time, the diocesan administrator must set the Vatican " as soon as possible " of his election. The person elected shall submit to the cathedral chapter from the Creed.

The authority of the diocesan Administrator are those of a diocesan bishop the same. He under the provisions of canon law, however, make any fundamental decisions that bind the future bishop or interfere in his episcopal rights. During the period of vacancy may therefore not be changed, it is stated explicitly in canon law. To his relief, the diocesan administrator in the administration appoint an alternate. The Office of the diocesan administrator ends with the possession of the diocese by the new bishop. Has the Diocesan Administrator receive episcopal consecration, his name can be mentioned in the Eucharistic Prayer of the Mass is celebrated.