13 Comments
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Josh D's avatar

How common is it for an ordinary in one diocese to be reassigned as an auxiliary elsewhere? I think it just happened in France, if I remember correctly, but other than that I don't remember hearing about it before.

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disc.thom's avatar

Exceedingly rare.

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Thomas Szyszkiewicz's avatar

It so exceedingly rare as to be publicly seen as a huge demotion - even a slap in the face.

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Cecilio C Reyna's avatar

I don’t think it is common at all. Obviously he’s being demoted.

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Chris Meier's avatar

I’m glad that Steubenville is getting a change in direction other than Bp. Monforton, and I’m also glad that Earl, our bishop, will not be further burdened with another diocese’s problems. We have enough of our own, and I’m very pleased so far with Bp. Fernandes. Good man, from all accounts.

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Cranberry Chuck's avatar

He seems to be utterly hapless, exercising abysmal oversight over finances, failing to consult with clergy and laity, and mismanaging scandalous priests. How does someone like this end up a bishop? Especially with just eight years of parish work, and no administrative duties to suggest he was up to the job.

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Bisbee's avatar

Friends in the hierarchy help.

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Fr Manning's avatar

He was rector of a seminary for 6 years. So he had an administrative track record. I don't know what that record is, good or bad, just that he had one.

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Cranberry Chuck's avatar

I understood that some bishops spend little to no time in parish ministry before their appointment, but had assumed this only applied to the Roman curia - diplomats, etc. I'm unclear whether my belief accurate, or what amount of parish time is minimally acceptable - six or eight years seems short. Besides, Monforton's administrative positions seem (to me) to be neither ones that point toward a bishop's hat, nor ones that might gain it by less noble means - such as proximity to an influential group like the former "Bernadin Machine".

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disc.thom's avatar

Detroit has been a shining beacon of disappointing bishops. Monforton, Untener, Quinn, Nienstedt.

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Cbalducc's avatar

Could we see more of this in the future - troublesome bishops in smaller dioceses being demoted to auxiliaries in larger ones?

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Fire's avatar

The other way to take this, is that current Bishop of Detroit is Allen Vigneron who will be 75 in October of this year. Bishop Monforton would on the young side of Vigneron's Auxiliary Bishops considering how many priest now say no to becoming Bishop taken with the fact other Major and frankly more noteworthy seas are going to be coming open soon see(Boston, Chicago, DC, New York) the Pope at some point will have to start accepting those resignations letters. So, any Bishop who's goal is to the climb the ladder US Church is likely to turn down a place like Detroit in hopes of landing a bigger fish.

I guess we will find out soon if Monforton gets a promotion.

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Frank K's avatar

Don't hold your breath on Monforton getting a promotion.

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