Cardinal Francis Prevost lists criteria for choosing bishops

Cardinal Francis Prevost, Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, cited some of the “gifts” that candidates for bishops must have, a decision reserved for the Holy Father but whose selection process will increasingly involve the participation of the “People of God.” ”.

At the beginning of his speech addressed to journalists in Rome this October 23, the cardinal indicated that the question of the selection process of bishops in each Episcopal Conference and the way in which it is carried out has been one of the issues discussed during the Synod of Synodality.

“The question is: how is it possible to make this process of searching for candidates more synodal and that includes the greatest participation not only of bishops, but also of priests, religious and lay people?” asked the prelate.

One of the most relevant functions of the Apostolic Nuncios is to participate in this selection process. Vatican “ambassadors” play a crucial role in screening candidates.

This new approach oriented towards a “synodal” style requires, as indicated by the cardinal, that the nuncio know “the people well” during pastoral visits and that they not only “be received by the parish priest” and participate in the ceremonies.

It is also necessary to “get in touch with parish groups”, to listen to their problems and reflect on the ways in which the Church can be strengthened.

The criteria for selecting a bishop

Asked about the “criteria” necessary to select bishops, Cardinal Prevost wanted to highlight its universal character and, at the same time, its specificity due to the certain areas in which it is carried out.

“We ask the nuncios to write reports that will then be sent to the dicastery and that will subsequently be presented to the Holy Father,” which include a series of aspects about the candidate.

Regarding these requirements, he cited some as “the worth” of the candidate, in addition to the study of whether he has had “serious problems that no one knows anything about”, certain health problems, “or if there are other aspects behind it that would make him not be “a good candidate.”

“But we also look at the specific dioceses and their needs. That is why the Apostolic Nuncio is in charge of reporting not only on bishops, but also on priests, lay people, and religious. To know what the diocese is like, its needs and what bishop they need,” he added.

The cardinal pointed out that this closeness to the People of God should exist as long as the Apostolic Nuncio “does his job correctly,” that is, studying the local situation, talking to people and seeing ways to find the best candidate.

He recalled that Pope Francis has spoken many times about these criteria, highlighting “the smell of sheep” that bishops must have, as a consequence of walking alongside the People of God and even “suffering with them.”

In addition, he pointed out that they must also have the gift of leadership, sometimes even in “communities that have many good priests,” but without a good leader “they don’t go anywhere.”

“Shepherds who walk with God’s people”

In this sense, he made reference to the pastoral duties of bishops, who are not “business administrators solely dedicated to organizations and structural and ceremonial matters.” “They have to be pastors who walk with joy with the people of God,” he noted.

The prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, who is responsible for everything related to the constitution and provision of the particular Churches and the exercise of the episcopal function in the Church, stressed that the prelates are also called to be “judged and evaluated” on their actions and attitudes. For the cardinal, “the tension of being pastors and being evaluated is what it means to be bishops”

In this sense, he quoted the Holy Father to remember that the only authority of the bishops “is to serve”, and insisted on the importance of “changing the entire dynamic and paradigm of the power structure”, with a view therefore to service. that a bishop must exercise towards all the members of his diocese.