What Happens When a Roman Catholic Bishop or Archbishop Retires?
- Denver Catholic Staff
- Jun 3
- 3 min read
The retirement of a bishop or archbishop marks a significant moment in the life of a diocese. With roots in canon law and tradition, the process is an intricate one that also invites reflection on the faithful service of the shepherd who led the local Church. It’s not every day that a particular diocese gets a new shepherd!
Here is a brief look at what happens when a bishop or archbishop retires:
Retirement Age Set by the Church
According to Canon Law (Canon 401 §1), bishops are requested to submit their resignation to the pope at age 75.
The pope may accept the resignation immediately, delay acceptance or request the bishop to continue serving temporarily. In practice, while the resignation is officially acknowledged upon receipt, the retiring bishop is often asked to remain in office until a successor is appointed — unless health reasons make this impractical. It is possible that the resignation may be accepted and a successor appointed upon receipt, as has happened in some U.S. dioceses in recent years.
Title After Retirement
A retired bishop or archbishop retains the honorary title of “Bishop Emeritus” or “Archbishop Emeritus” of his former diocese (Canon 402 §1).
Appointment of a Successor
The pope, often after consultation with the apostolic nuncio and other bishops, appoints a successor. The pope also works closely with the head of the Dicastery for Bishops — a role previously held by Pope Leo XIV — to discern appropriate candidates.
While the auxiliary bishop of a diocese retains his position unless the Vatican announces otherwise, he is not automatically promoted to bishop or archbishop of that same diocese.
In the interim, if a successor has not yet been appointed, the Vatican may name an apostolic administrator to oversee the diocese. However, apostolic administrators are typically appointed only in special circumstances, such as when a bishop is removed due to serious concerns or incapacitating health issues. For example, apostolic administrators were appointed in recent years in the Diocese of Tyler, TX (following the removal of Bishop Strickland) and the Diocese of Lincoln, NE (during Bishop Conley's mental health treatment).
This is not to be confused with a diocesan administrator, a priest or auxiliary bishop who is elected by the diocese’s College of Consultors, and who typically oversees a diocese during a vacancy caused by a bishop’s transfer to another diocese (Canons 419-430).
Change Isn’t Immediate or Automatic
Canon law also clearly forbids the apostolic or diocesan administrator from making major changes during the sede vacante period — the time before the diocese receives its next shepherd (Canon 428).
Even when a new bishop is assigned to the diocese, he often takes time to meet with priests, deacons and laity to get to know his new flock at the start of his ministry, before hitting the ground running. It is worth noting, too, that pastors and other canonically appointed individuals who have already been assigned to a ministerial term do not automatically lose their positions.
Role After Retirement
Retired bishops often continue to serve the Church in various ways, including:
Celebrating Mass and sacraments
Offering spiritual direction or retreats
Assisting in diocesan events or confirmations
Even in retirement, bishops may be called upon by the pope for special assignments — such as serving as apostolic administrators, as was the case for the Diocese of Steubenville, OH, and Bishop Paul Bradley, bishop emeritus of Kalamazoo; or investigating sensitive matters involving other bishops, as was the case for Bishop Gerald Kicanas, bishop emeritus of Tuscon, AZ, in the recent investigations regarding Bishop Strickland. Bishop Emeritus Kicanas also served as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Las Cruces, NM, in 2018 and 2019. This openness to continued ecclesial service reflects the retired bishops’ ongoing vocation and the Church's continued trust in their pastoral experience and wisdom.
Living Arrangements
Many retired bishops reside in a rectory, private residence or retirement facility suited to clergy, often within or near the diocese they served. Of course, specific plans for individual bishops vary.
Continued Witness
Even in retirement, bishops remain a visible sign of apostolic succession and continue to offer their wisdom, prayer and pastoral presence.
As faithful Catholics, we are called to trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who never fails to provide the shepherd we need. We are called, too, to continue the mission that Jesus Christ himself gave us on the eve of his ascension into Heaven: to “go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). No matter the shepherd, the Church remains firm in her commitment to make disciples and retains the hope-filled promise of Jesus’ presence “to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Let us give thanks for the service of our archbishop, pray even now for the one who will succeed him and trust that God is at work in every stage of this transition.
