26 February 2008

Overview: Province of Washington (DC) and the American Virgin Islands

This province is composed of just two jurisdictions. The metropolitan is the Archdiocese of Washington (DC) and the one suffragan is the Diocese of Saint Thomas, American Virgin Islands.

Archbishop Donald William Wuerl (67) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Washington. He has been in this post for less than 2 years. He is assisted by two Auxiliary Bishops: González Valer (68) and Holley (53). The former celebrated his 6th anniversary of consecration as a bishop just over a fortnight ago.

Theodore Edgar Cardinal McCarrick is the previous ordinary of the Archdiocese. He turns 80 (and thus loses his right to vote if a conclave is required) in July 2010. If my previous speculation that the next consistory to create cardinals is held in the 2nd half of 2010, then it seems very likely that Archbishop Wuerl would receive a red hat at that time.

The Diocese of Saint Thomas has been vacant for a bit over a year now. It seems very likely to be getting a new bishop this year.

Other than a new ordinary for St. Thomas, no changes to the hierarchy seem likely in this province this year.

Overview: Province of Washington (State)

The Province of the state of Washington includes the metropolitan - the Archdiocese of Seattle - and its 2 suffragan Dioceses: Spokane and Yakima.

Archbishop Alexander Joseph Brunett (74) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Seattle. He has held this position for over 10 years. He is assisted by two Auxiliary Bishops: Elizondo Almaguer (53) and Tyson (50). Both have been in their posts for less than 3 years.

The Diocese of Spokane is led by Bishop William Stephen Skylstad who turns 74 this coming Sunday.

Bishop Carlos Arthur Sevilla, S.J. (72) is the head of the Diocese of Yakima.

This province is not likely to see any changes in its hierarchy this year. Next year, however, is a different story. Both Archbishop Brunett and Bishop Skylstad will turn 75 and may well retire and have replacements named in 2009.

Overview: Province of Arizona and New Mexico

The province is composed of the metropolitan, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with its 4 suffragan dioceses: Gallup, Las Cruces, Phoenix, and Tucson. The first two are in New Mexico, the latter two cover the state of Arizona.

Archbishop Michael Jarboe Sheehan (68) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. He will celebrate 25 years as a bishop this summer.

The Diocese of Gallup has Bishop Donald Edmond Pelotte, S.S.S. (62) as its ordinary. Bishop Olmsted (see below) is currently serving as Apostolic Administrator of the diocese. This unusual situation may suggest that a change will be coming to this diocese in the relatively near future (this year or next).

Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B. (71) is the first ordinary of the Diocese of Las Cruces. He has held this post for 25 years.

The Diocese of Phoenix is led by Bishop Thomas James Olmsted (61). He has held this post for 4 years.

Bishop Gerald Frederick Kicanas (66) is the head of the Diocese of Tucson. His 5th anniversary of succeeding to this post is less than a fortnight from now.

While there is no obvious immediate change due in the hierarchy of this province, there are several possibilities. The extremely unusual situation in the Diocese of Gallup certainly suggests that a change might be coming there. In addition, both Bishops Olmsted and Kicanas are at an age and length of service that they might be considered for other posts. Although in this case, the length of time in their current posts is on the short end of the common range.

25 February 2008

Overview: Province of N California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah

This province is composed of the metropolitan, the Archdiocese of San Francisco, California, along with its 9 suffragan dioceses, namely: Honolulu, Hawaii; Las Vegas, Nevada; Oakland; Reno, Nevada; Sacramento; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Jose; Santa Rosa; and Stockton; all in the state of California unless otherwise indicated.

Archbishop George Hugh Niederauer (71) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, California. He has held this post for just over 2 years. He is assisted by one Auxiliary, Bishop Wang, who turns 74 on Wednesday.

The Diocese of Honolulu, Hawaii is led by Bishop Clarence Richard Silva (58). He has been in this post for two years.

Bishop Joseph Anthony Pepe (65) is the head of the Diocese of Las Vegas, Nevada. He has held this post for 6 years.

The Diocese of Oakland, California is headed by Bishop Allen Henry Vigneron (59). He has been in this role for 4 years now.

Bishop Randolph Roque Calvo (57) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Reno, Nevada. His 2nd anniversary of consecration as a bishop was just over a week ago.

The Diocese of Sacramento, California is led by Bishop William Kenneth Weigand (70) with the assistance of his coadjutor Bishop Jaime Soto (52). Bishop Soto will automatically succeeded upon Bishop Weigand's resignation. Typically this transition occurs 6 to 18 months from the arrival of the coadjutor. In this case, that suggests that late this year or early next year is the likely time frame.

Bishop John Charles Wester (57) is the head of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah. He has been in place for about a year.

The Diocese of San Jose in California has as its ordinary Bishop Patrick Joseph McGrath (62). He has held this post for 8 years.

Bishop Daniel Francis Walsh (70) is the leader of the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California. He will celebrate 45 years as a priest next month. He has been in this post for almost 8 years.

The Diocese of Stockton, California is led by Bishop Stephen Edward Blaire (66). He has been in this post for about 9 years.

Overall this province is not likely to see many changes to its hierarchy this year. The transition in Sacramento is likely this year or next. Also a couple of bishops are at an age and length of experience that they might be considered for other posts, namely Bishops McGrath and Blaire.

18 February 2008

Overview: Province of NW Texas

The province's metropolitan is the Archdiocese of San Antonio. It has 7 suffragan dioceses: Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Laredo,
Lubbock, and San Angelo; all in the state of Texas.

Archbishop José Horacio Gómez (56) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of San Antonio. His 3rd anniversary of installation to this post was last week. Currently it has no active Auxiliary Bishops.

The Diocese of Amarillo will be installing its new ordinary, Bishop Patrick James Zurek (59), later this week. He had previously been an Auxiliary of San Antonio.

Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell (60) is the head of the Diocese of Dallas. He has been in this post for almost a year.

The Diocese of El Paso has as its ordinary Bishop Armando Xavier Ochoa (64). His 21st anniversary of consecration as a bishop is later this week.

Bishop Kevin William Vann (56) is the leader of the Diocese of Fort Worth. He has been in this post for about 2 and a half years.

The Diocese of Laredo is led by Bishop James Anthony Tamayo (58). His 15th anniversary of consecration as a bishop is in a few weeks.

Bishop Plácido Rodriguez, C.M.F. (67) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Lubbock. He celebrates 40 years as a priest in May.

The Diocese of San Angelo is headed by Bishop Michael David Pfeifer, O.M.I. (70). He has been in this post for 22 years.

Other than the upcoming installation of Bishop Zurek, this province is not likely to see any major changes to its hierarchy in the next few years. However, the Archdiocese may will get one or more auxiliary bishops. In addition, most of the ordinaries are at an age and level of experience that they might be considered for other posts.

Overview: Province of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota

The province is composed of the metropolitan, Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, along with nine suffragan dioceses: Bismarck (North Dakota), Crookston, Duluth, Fargo, New Ulm, Rapid City (South Dakota), Saint Cloud, Sioux Falls (North Dakota), and Winona. All are in Minnesota except where indicated.

Archbishop Harry Joseph Flynn is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. He turns 75 (the normal retirement age) in May of this year. Archbishop John Clayton Nienstedt (60) is his Coadjutor and will automatically succeeded upon Archbishop Flynn's retirement. In addition there is an Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop Pates (65).

The Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota is led by Bishop Paul Albert Zipfel (72). His eleventh anniversary of installation is in two days.

Bishop Michael Joseph Hoeppner (58) is the head of the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota. He was consecrated a bishop last fall.

The Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota has Bishop Dennis Marion Schnurr (59) as its ordinary. He is approaching the age and years of experience when he may be considered for other posts.

Bishop Samuel Joseph Aquila (57) heads the Diocese of Fargo, North Dakota. He is also at the length of experience and age where he might well be considered for other posts. Although he would be the first ordinary from this diocese to move on.

The Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota is currently vacant. The last ordinary was then-Bishop Nienstedt who was named Coadjutor Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in April of last year.

Bishop Blase Joseph Cupich (58) is the ordinary of the Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota. He is also at an age and experience that he might well be considered for other posts.

The Diocese of Saint Cloud, Minnesota is led by Bishop John Francis Kinney (70). He celebrated his 45th anniversary of priestly ordination earlier this month.

Bishop Paul Joseph Swain (64) is the head of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He will celebrate 20 years as a priest later this year.

The Diocese of Winona, Minnesota has as its ordinary Bishop Bernard Joseph Harrington who turns 75 in September of this year.

Overall this province is likely to see a good number of changes to its hierarchy both this year and in the following few years. The likely retirements of Archbishop Flynn and Bishop Harrington top the list. In addition, the Diocese of New Ulm is currently vacant. Beyond that, there are 3 bishops (Schnurr, Aquila, and Cupich) that might be considered for other posts in the next few years.

03 February 2008

Overview: Province of Missouri

This province consists of the metropolitan, the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, along with its suffragans: Jefferson City, Kansas City-Saint Joseph, and Springfield-Cape Girardeau, all in the state of Missouri.

Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke (59) is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Saint Louis. He has been in this post just over 4 years. He is assisted by an Auxiliary Bishop (Hermann) who is 73.

The Diocese of Jefferson City is led by Bishop John Raymond Gaydos (64). He has been in place for 10 years. If he were to be considered for another post, it would likely be in the next year or two.

Bishop Robert William Finn (54) has been the head of the Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph for over 2 years.

The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau received word of its new ordinary about 10 days ago. Bishop-elect James Vann Johnston, Jr. (48) will be consecrated a bishop on the last day of March.

Other than the upcoming ordination just mentioned, there is likely to be no changes in the hierarchy of this province this year.

Overview: Province of Idaho, Montana, and Oregon

This province is composed of the metropolitan, the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon, along with its four suffragans: Baker (in Oregon), Boise City (in Idaho), Great Falls-Billings (Montana) and Helena (Montana).

Archbishop John George Vlazny is the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. He turns 71 later this month. He is assisted by an Auxiliary Bishop (Steiner) who is a few months older.

The Diocese of Baker is led by Bishop Robert Francis Vasa (56). His 8th anniversary of consecration as a bishop was about a week ago. He is at an age and experience level that he might be considered for other posts. Curiously, his only predecessor that did that was the first, Bishop O'Reilly, who became the Bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska. That is also where Bishop Vasa served as a priest.

Bishop Michael Patrick Driscoll (68) is the leader of the Diocese of Boise City. He has been in this post for about 9 years.

The Diocese of Great Falls-Billings just recently received its new ordinary, Bishop Michael William Warfel (59). He was installed last month after having served as Bishop of Juneau, Alaska for 11 years.

Bishop George Leo Thomas (57) is the head of the Diocese of Helena. He also celebrated his 8th anniversary as a bishop last week.

Overall, it seems likely that this province will be quite stable in terms of its hierarchy for the rest of the year. The one possible exception being Bishop Vasa as mentioned before.

01 February 2008

USA Anniversaries - February 2008

If folks are interested, I'll try to post these each month. All the birthdays are listed, but only "major" anniversaries (i.e., ends in 0 or 5) are included.
(number of years/day in February 2008)
Birthdays:

  • 86/21: Bishop Louis Anthony DeSimone; Auxiliary Emeritus of Philadelphia, PA
  • 86/21: Bishop Norman Francis McFarland; Emeritus of Orange, CA
  • 85/14: Bishop Mark Francis Schmitt; Emeritus of Marquette, MI
  • 80/26: Bishop Robert Joseph Banks; Emeritus of Green Bay, WI
  • 79/23: Bishop Thomas Joseph Costello; Auxiliary Emeritus of Syracuse, NY
  • 78/3: Bishop David Edward Foley; Emeritus of Birmingham, AL
  • 78/15: Bishop Robert Edward Mulvee; Emeritus of Providence, RI
  • 78/28: Bishop Robert John Rose; Emeritus of Grand Rapids, MI
  • 77/14: Bishop Henry Theophilus Howaniec, O.F.M.; of Santissima Trinità in Almaty, Kazakhstan (born in Chicago, IL)
  • 76/8: Bishop Raymond James Boland; Emeritus of Kansas City-Saint Joseph, MO
  • 74/19: Bishop Raymundo Joseph Peña; of Brownsville, TX
  • 74/27: Bishop Ignatius Chung Wang; Auxiliary of San Francisco, CA
  • 73/13: Bishop Gilberto Fernández; Auxiliary Emeritus of Miami, FL
  • 73/13: Bishop Peter Anthony Rosazza; Auxiliary of Hartford, CT
  • 73/18: Bishop Emilio Simeon Alluè, S.D.B.; Auxiliary of Boston, MA
  • 72/20: Bishop Thomas George Doran; of Rockford, IL
  • 72/27: Roger Michael Cardinal Mahony; of Los Angeles, CA
  • 71/22: Archbishop John George Vlazny; of Portland, OR
  • 69/1: Bishop George William Coleman; of Fall River, MA
  • 68/29: Bishop John Huston Ricard, S.S.J.; of Pensacola-Tallahassee, FL
  • 65/12: Bishop Richard Edmund Pates; Auxiliary of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, MN
  • 64/22: Bishop Richard Brendan Higgins; Auxiliary of the Military Archdiocese
  • 63/16: Bishop Edward Michael Grosz; Auxiliary of Buffalo, NY
  • 62/5: Bishop Felipe de Jesús Estevez; Auxiliary of Miami, FL
  • 58/6: Archbishop Timothy Michael Dolan; of Milwaukee, WI
  • 57/26: Bishop John Gerard Noonan; Auxiliary of Miami, FL
  • 54/23: Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, M.S.U.; Auxiliary of Lviv (Ukrainian) (born in Steubenville, OH)

Ordination to the Priesthood:

  • 65/24: Bishop Bernard Ferdinand Popp; Auxiliary Emeritus of San Antonio, TX
  • 55/28: Bishop Gilbert Ignatius Sheldon; Emeritus of Steubenville, OH
  • 45/2: Bishop John Francis Kinney; of Saint Cloud, MN

Consecration as a Bishop:

  • 35/2: Bishop John Joseph Snyder; Emeritus of Saint Augustine, FL
  • 30/28: Bishop Frank Joseph Rodimer; Emeritus of Paterson, NJ
  • 20/19: Bishop Curtis John Guillory, S.V.D.; of Beaumont, TX
  • 15/11: Bishop Dominic Carmon, S.V.D.; Auxiliary Emeritus of New Orleans, LA
  • The following 2 were consecrated in the same ceremony:

    • 10/16: Bishop Thomas Joseph Flanagan; Auxiliary Emeritus of San Antonio, TX
    • 10/16: Bishop Patrick James Zurek; of Amarillo, TX

  • 5/22: Bishop Ronald William Gainer; of Lexington, KY


Ad Multos Annos!