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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
who can ordain a bishop	Claire	Saturday, May 31, 2008
Question: HI Brother Ignatius, thank you again for your answers to all our questions. I am confused: I thought that only a Pope can ordain a Priest to become a Bishop? I understand that a Bishop can ordain a Priest, but now I read that a Bisphop can ordain a priest into another Bishop? Somehow, even though it may be true, it just doesn't seem right. I know that the Pope is only a title and he is "just" a Bisphop, but to me a Pope has much more responsibility and all Bisphops and Priests are answerable to the Pope (for want of a better explanation or wording), so how come a Bishop that is not a Pope can ordain another into a Bishop? Thank you and God bless, Claire
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Claire: A bishop has the power to ordain priests and to consecrate other bishops. This power is derived directly from God, and not from the Pope. In essence all bishops are popes (of their territories). "Pope" means father. The Pope in Rome is the Supreme Pontiff. A Bishop, however, must remain loyal to Rome and obedient to the Supreme Pontiff in those areas in which the Pope has jurisdiction. In the consecrating of new bishops, the Bishop has to have the permission of the Pope, but the consecration is done by the Bishop himself. If a Bishop consecrates another bishop without the permission of the Pope then he has committed an act of schism and will usually be excommunicated. This is what what happened to Bishop Lefebrve of the SSPX. I hope that helps a little. Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

who can ordain a bishop

Claire

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Question:

HI Brother Ignatius,

thank you again for your answers to all our questions.

I am confused: I thought that only a Pope can ordain a Priest to become a Bishop? I understand that a Bishop can ordain a Priest, but now I read that a Bisphop can ordain a priest into another Bishop?

Somehow, even though it may be true, it just doesn't seem right. I know that the Pope is only a title and he is "just" a Bisphop, but to me a Pope has much more responsibility and all Bisphops and Priests are answerable to the Pope (for want of a better explanation or wording), so how come a Bishop that is not a Pope can ordain another into a Bishop?

Thank you and God bless,
Claire

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Claire:

A bishop has the power to ordain priests and to consecrate other bishops. This power is derived directly from God, and not from the Pope. In essence all bishops are popes (of their territories). "Pope" means father. The Pope in Rome is the Supreme Pontiff.

A Bishop, however, must remain loyal to Rome and obedient to the Supreme Pontiff in those areas in which the Pope has jurisdiction.

In the consecrating of new bishops, the Bishop has to have the permission of the Pope, but the consecration is done by the Bishop himself.

If a Bishop consecrates another bishop without the permission of the Pope then he has committed an act of schism and will usually be excommunicated. This is what what happened to Bishop Lefebrve of the SSPX.

I hope that helps a little.

Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum