March 13, 2009
The Bishop's Forum
March 8, 1989: The date of a life-changing phone call
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
Every bishop is expected to submit his letter of resignation to the Holy Father on or before his 75th birthday in accordance with Canon Law, the law of the Church.
At this writing I am 73 years old. I intend to submit my letter well in advance of my 75th birthday realizing that until the completion of my 75th year, no action will be taken except for physical or mental incapacity to continue as the diocesan bishop — God forbid.
Bishop Raymond Shea, my predecessor, celebrated his 75th birthday on December 4, 1988. Even before his birthday, the Papal Nuncio was aware of the upcoming vacancy, so a systematic process began for his replacement. I am not privy to the contents of his letter of resignation but suspect the process for his replacement had begun before his 75th birthday.
Steps in the Process for appointing a new bishop
Step One:
- When a bishop retires/resigns/or is removed the diocesan see (seat) is vacant. The process begins.
- The Papal Nuncio goes to the list of priests or auxiliary bishops who meet the criteria for the open diocese attempting to match experience, competencies, language and cultural background, knowledge of urban or rural settings, etc. etc.
- He then sends a very lengthy and detailed questionnaire to anyone who might know that priest seeking affirmation of him as a bishop candidate for a very specific diocese. (There is already an extensive file on auxiliary bishops so the questions may have more to do with the “fit” of this bishop to be a diocesan bishop, i.e. in charge of a diocese.
Step Two:
- From the responses and/or recommendations from the inquiries, the Papal Nuncio develops a terna, a list of three potential candidates in rank order, i.e. one, two, three.
- The Papal Nuncio forwards this terna to the Congregation for Bishops in the Vatican as recommended candidates for the vacant see. (Clearly, I had to be one of the candidates on his terna for the Catholic Diocese of Evansville.)
- The Cardinal Members of the Congregation for Bishops review the terna for the open diocese. They select one name from the terna submitted by the Papal Nuncio from the United States. They formally recommend that name to the Holy Father. (Presumably, I was the first recommendation.)
- The Holy Father personally reviews the recommendation. If he accepts the recommendation, he informs the Papal Nuncio to invite that priest/bishop to become the diocesan bishop of the open diocese.
Step Three:
- The invitation from the Holy Father is relayed by the Papal Nuncio.
- The acceptance of the Holy Father’s invitation to be diocesan bishop of the open diocese.
Step Four:
The phone call that changed my life came around noon on March 8, 1989.
It was simple. It was clear. Here is my recollection of the invitation by the phone call:
“Monsignor Gettelfinger, are you alone and can you talk?”
After closing the outer door, I responded:
“Yes, I am now alone and I am free to talk.”
He responded:
“Monsignor Gettelfinger, I am calling on behalf of John Paul the Second who is inviting you to be bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville. Will you accept?”
In spite of many rumors, I was stunned by the simplicity of the invitation. I asked:
“Monsignor Tonucci, how long do I have to answer?
He responded:
“Oh Monsignor, Bishop Shea is so anxious to retire?”
I asked further:
“Do I have hours or days to respond?”
He retorted:
“Oh Monsignor, the people of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville are to know who their new bishop will be.”
I had heard the rumors for months. I knew the process in advance. I knew that a number of people had to recommend me to be diocesan bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Evansville. Certainly that number had to include Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara. All were bound by the Pontifical Secret not to speak of this to anyone especially the candidate in question, i.e. me
Hence I responded:
“Monsignor Tonucci, I am deeply honored and humbled by the Holy Father’s invitation. I also know of all those who have had to recommend me along the way. If the Holy Father and all of them have confidence that I am capable to be the Diocesan Bishop of Evansville, I accept.”
Monsignor Tonucci of the Apostolic Pro-Nunciature in Washington, D.C. acting in the absence of the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Pio Laghi (who was in Rome with Archbishop O’Meara) responded instantly and gleefully:
“Allow me to be the first to congratulate you, bishop!”
It was stark! It was real! His address was stunning!
The rest is history.