Auxiliary bishop

Bishop is the usual in the German language name for the existing in many Catholic dioceses Office of Auxiliarbischofs (from the Latin episcopus auxiliaris, auxiliary bishop ').

Sacramental status

An auxiliary bishop is the consecration of a bishop degrees. However, it does not forward any diocese, but is a diocesan bishop assigned as helpers in the episcopal functions. Since the episcopate is theologically related to the management of a particular Church, the auxiliary bishop is consecrated to the title of a submerged diocese ( Titular ).

Service

Auxiliary bishops there are in dioceses in which, because of their personal or geographical size of the episcopal specific tasks can not be fulfilled by the diocesan Bishop alone. The auxiliary bishop to represent him, especially in the ordination actions ( consecration, ordained deacon ), and in the gift of the sacrament of Confirmation. As visitator he also takes part in the oberhirtlichen service.

Representative of the resident bishop in the field of administration and jurisdiction is the Vicar General. Frequently Auxiliary Bishops shall be appointed by the diocesan bishop to bishop also curates with circumscribed duties; occasionally they are also appointed to the office of vicar general.

A special feature is the possibility of appointing an auxiliary bishop for the control of a bishop who simply can not be removed from his office. In the canon 403, paragraph 2 is this: " In the presence of more severe circumstances, even a personal nature, the diocesan bishop can be given an auxiliary bishop, which is equipped with special powers. "

Auxiliary bishops are members of the cathedral chapter and the Regional Episcopal Conference.

Like a diocesan bishop reaches an auxiliary bishop with the completion of his 75th birthday in his resignation, which is usually assumed. However, as the diocesan bishop to keep after his retirement at his ( titular ) bishop's seat.

The number of auxiliary bishops depends on the size and needs of the diocese and is determined by the diocesan bishop in agreement with the Apostolic See.

Insignia

Like all Catholic bishops wear the Auxiliary Bishops as choir dress a purple cassock and a violet Mozetta, on this a pectoral cross and the hand of a bishop's ring. With the leadership of a bishop fair they make use of the pontifical miter, crozier and pectoral.

Titulary

To distinguish which acts as auxiliary bishop in a diocese Titular by the diocesan bishop, it is said: NN Bishop of (name of Titularbistums ), Bishop (name of the diocese in which he is employed as auxiliary bishop. ) The prefixes Christmas or titular be of protocol actually not used because a bishop is a bishop (see above under consecration status).

History

The first auxiliary bishops were bishops whose diocesan territory was conquered by non-Christian rulers and who had to leave their episcopal see. Canon law, they retained their title. These bishops sought refuge with a bishop in a Catholic area, which then often began as a deputy. During the Middle Ages, institutionalized this office, so that they began to consecrate bishops from the outset to dioceses that were no longer in the Christian sphere of influence ( in partibus infidelium " in areas of the infidels ").