DETROIT — On March 18 at 2 p.m., Archbishop-designate Edward J. Weisenburger will be installed as the sixth archbishop of Detroit.
During a solemn Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, the papal nuncio will read a bull signed by the Roman Pontiff, and then Archbishop-designate Weisenburger will accept his crozier, sit on his cathedra, and officially become Detroit’s 10th ordinary and the new metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Detroit.
If the preceding paragraph has you a bit lost, you’re not alone.
Episcopal transitions — in layman’s terms, the arrival of a new bishop — include mention of a lot of terms steeped in Church history, tradition and canon law. But if you’re not a Church scholar, you can still follow along during the transition events next week.
Here are the important terms you’ll hear, and what they mean:
Installation
The official inauguration of ministry for a bishop of a diocese. Because Archbishop-designate Weisenburger is already a bishop — he's served as bishop of Tucson, Arizona, since 2017, and previously as bishop of Salina, Kansas, from 2012-17 — he won't be "ordained" as Detroit's archbishop, but installed. This will happen when the papal nuncio (below) reads the decree from Pope Francis and Archbishop-designate Weisenburger sits on his episcopal seat (known as a "cathedra") for the first time at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on March 18.
Papal nuncio
In simple terms, the papal nuncio is the pope’s representative. Usually a cardinal, the papal nuncio is a Vatican diplomat with the rank of ambassador (in this case, the pope's ambassador to the United States). He is responsible for the Holy See’s relations with the Church in the country where he is stationed as well as its diplomatic relations with that country.
The current U.S. papal nuncio is Cardinal Christophe Pierre. During Archbishop-designate Weisenburger’s installation Mass, Cardinal Pierre will read the official decree (known as a “papal bull”) from Pope Francis appointing Archbishop-designate Weisenburger as archbishop of Detroit.
Papal bull
The most solemn and weighty form of a papal letter or decree. The name is derived from the Latin word “bulla,” which refers to the disk-like papal seal attached to such documents. After the papal nuncio reads the bull during the installation Mass, Archbishop-designate Weisenburger will show it to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Detroit as proof of his appointment as their chief shepherd.
Ordinary
In normal usage, an ordinary is a bishop (or another prelate) who has been given jurisdiction and authority over a particular Church. In some larger dioceses where multiple bishops are assigned (such as auxiliary bishops), the “ordinary” is the bishop to whom governance of the diocese is given. In the Archdiocese of Detroit, the “ordinary” is the archbishop of Detroit.
Cathedra
The bishop’s chair and a symbol of his authority in a particular diocese. The word “cathedra” means “chair,” and is where the term “cathedral” is derived. Each diocese has just one cathedral — the church where the bishop’s (or archbishop’s) chair resides. Once Archbishop-designate Weisenburger takes his seat on the cathedra at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, he becomes the archbishop of Detroit.
Crosier (or crozier)
The pastoral staff carried in procession by a bishop. It is a symbol of his leadership as a shepherd in the model of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The crosier has a crook on the top. According to Durandus, an early Church writer, the shape of the crosier itself carries meaning: “The end is sharp to goad the slothful, the middle is straight to signify righteous rule, while the head is bent to draw in and attract souls to the way of God.” In the past, ordinaries (such as archbishops) carried their crosiers with the crook facing outward, while auxiliary bishops carried them facing inward.
See
The seat of a bishop or pope’s authority and jurisdiction. When referring to diocesan bishops, the “see” is usually the diocese over which he presides, and includes the diocesan boundaries.
Province
In the Latin Church, dioceses are grouped into “provinces,” which usually include one archdiocese (called the “metropolitan” see) and several smaller dioceses (called “suffragan” sees). A province usually includes an archdiocese and several smaller dioceses in a geographical region. The Ecclesiastical Province of Detroit, of which the Archdiocese of Detroit is the metropolitan see, also includes the six other dioceses of Michigan: Lansing, Grand Rapids, Gaylord, Kalamazoo, Saginaw and Marquette.
Metropolitan
A metropolitan archbishop — sometimes just called the “metropolitan” — is the head of a metropolitan archdiocese, which is the principal diocese of an ecclesiastical province. Canon law specifies limited obligations and authority a metropolitan archbishop has with respect to the dioceses in his province, such as the authority to call meetings of the provincial bishops, who each govern their respective dioceses.
Suffragan
A diocese in an ecclesiastical province that is not the metropolitan archdiocese. Bishops of these dioceses are called “suffragan” bishops. For example, the Archdiocese of Detroit is the metropolitan archdiocese of the Province of Detroit, while the dioceses of Lansing, Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Gaylord, Kalamazoo and Marquette are suffragan dioceses.
Archbishop
A title automatically given to bishops who govern archdioceses. However, the title is also given as a personal rank to certain bishops who serve in the papal diplomatic corps or in certain offices in the Vatican.
Archbishop-designate (or Archbishop-elect)
A term used for a priest or bishop who has been named an archbishop, but has not yet taken possession of his new archdiocese. The normal term is “archbishop-designate,” rather than “archbishop-elect,” since an archbishop is designated as such by the pope, not elected to his position. However, the terms are interchangeable in common usage. Archbishop-designate Weisenburger will take possession of the Archdiocese of Detroit on March 18.
Archbishop-emeritus
When a new archbishop is appointed, the archdiocesan see officially becomes “vacant” until the new archbishop is installed, and the former archbishop assumes the title of “emeritus” immediately. The Archdiocese of Detroit now has two bishops with this title: Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, whose resignation was accepted by the pope on Feb. 11, and Cardinal Adam J. Maida, who led the archdiocese from 1990 to 2009.
Apostolic administrator
A bishop or priest who is appointed by the pope to administer a vacant diocese until a new ordinary is installed. After accepting Archbishop Vigneron’s resignation as archbishop of Detroit on Feb. 11, Pope Francis immediately appointed him apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Detroit until the time of Archbishop-designate Edward J. Weisenburger’s installation on March 18.
Bishop
The highest of the three orders (bishop, priest and deacon) of sacramentally ordained ministry in the Catholic Church. Called and consecrated to the fullness of the priesthood of Jesus Christ, bishops are direct successors of Christ’s apostles, given a threefold office of teaching, sanctifying and governing Christ’s faithful. Sacramentally, there is no difference in the ordination of an auxiliary bishop, diocesan bishop, archbishop and even a cardinal. Even the pope himself is not “ordained” a pope. He, too, is a bishop (although by virtue of his office, he holds universal and supreme authority over the entire Church). Bishops may hold different titles and roles — such as archbishop, nuncio or cardinal — and exercise different ministries, but all bishops are equal in dignity and vocation.
Cardinal
A prelate — usually a bishop, but not necessarily — who has been appointed a member of the sacred College of Cardinals by the pope. Cardinals are the pope’s closest advisers and often serve in high-ranking Vatican roles or as the heads of large dioceses. Cardinals wear distinctive red hats and vestments, which signify the possibility of martyrdom on behalf of Christ and his Church. Cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect the pope. Cardinal Adam J. Maida, who served as Detroit’s archbishop from 1990 to 2009, is a member of the College of Cardinals.
Auxiliary Bishop
Bishops who are appointed to assist in the pastoral care of a larger diocese. Auxiliary bishops have the full spiritual authority of a bishop — including the ability to confer the sacraments of holy orders and confirmation — but serve under the jurisdiction of an ordinary (such as an archbishop) and do not hold an automatic right of succession in their diocese. The Archdiocese of Detroit has three active auxiliary bishops to assist Archbishop-designate Weisenburger: Bishops Arturo Cepeda, Robert J. Fisher, and Jeffrey M. Monforton.
Vespers
The formal name of the Church’s evening prayer, prayed as part of the Liturgy of the Hours. Archbishop-designate Weisenburger will pray solemn Vespers with clergy and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Detroit at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, during which time he will profess an oath of fidelity and make a solemn profession of faith. The following day, he will be installed as Detroit’s sixth archbishop.
Miter (or mitre)
The tall, pointed hat worn by popes and bishops during liturgies. It is a symbol of the bishop’s episcopal office. Most miters have two fringed lapels hanging down the back. Miters can be adorned with symbolism and embroidery, or kept simple — the latter being used during solemn liturgies such as Good Friday. It is always removed when the bishop or pope prays.
Pallium
A circular white woolen band worn around an archbishop's neck and shoulders in liturgical ceremonies. A pallium is given by the pope to Latin-rite archbishops who head metropolitan sees as a symbol of their authority over the ecclesiastical province and their unity with the pope. If an archbishop is transferred from one metropolitan see to another, he receives a new pallium. Archbishop-designate Weisenburger will receive his pallium from the pope during the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, June 29.
Episcopal motto
Upon their ordination to the episcopacy, bishops may choose an episcopal motto, usually a short passage from Scripture that serves as a guide and a model for their ministry. Archbishop-designate Weisenburger’s episcopal motto is “Behold the Lamb of God,” taken from John 1:29, in which St. John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the messiah. Archbishop-emeritus Vigneron’s episcopal motto is “Keeping Our Eyes Fixed on Jesus,” from Hebrews 12:2.
Coat of arms
In addition to an episcopal motto, bishops are afforded a personal coat of arms that may include symbolic representations of his personal and family history, faith and devotions. In the case of an ordinary (such as Archbishop-designate Weisenburger), this heraldry includes elements of the diocesan coat of arms, symbolizing the bishop’s spiritual bond to the diocese over which he has been given care.
Vicar
This term has many uses in the Catholic Church. The main use, however, is to refer to someone deputized by the bishop or a religious superior to carry out certain functions on his behalf.
Prelate of Honor ("Monsignor")
An honorary title given to a priest by the pope. Priests given this title may be addressed as “Reverend Monsignor.” A Prelate of Honor is the second of three ranks of monsignor, above “Chaplain to His Holiness” and below “Protonotary Apostolic.” Archbishop-designate Weisenburger was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope Benedict XVI on Oct. 2, 2009, when he was a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.
College of Consultors
A canonically established body of priests that advises the diocesan bishop on important matters. Canon law requires the bishop to consult with his college of consultors, which he appoints from among the local presbyterate, before making certain decisions.
Curia
The central administrative and judicial offices of a diocese. In the Archdiocese of Detroit, the curia helps the archbishop of Detroit to carry out his ministry in certain functions, with most of these coworkers working out of the archdiocesan Chancery building in downtown Detroit. The word is also used in reference to the Roman Curia, which comprises the various Vatican dicasteries and offices that advise and assist the pope.
Moderator of the Curia
In the Archdiocese of Detroit, the moderator of the curia is a priest who oversees the operations of the curia and serves as a close adviser to the archbishop, analogous to a “chief of staff.” Under Archbishop Vigneron, Fr. Jeffrey Day has served as moderator of the curia.
Definitions adapted from the OSV News stylebook and the Official Catholic Dictionary.
