The Diocese of Sioux Falls is now considered in transition.
With the departure of Bishop Robert J. Carlson to Saginaw, MI, the appointment by the Vatican of an apostolic administrator and the wait for the naming of a new bishop, the diocese faces many questions and adjustments.
The process of selecting a new bishop for the Diocese of Sioux Falls is already underway.
According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the process begins at the diocesan level and works its way through a series of consultations until it reaches Rome.
The people involved include the apostolic nuncio, the Congregation for Bishops and the pope.
But some key people in the diocese are also likely to be consulted about the needs of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. “They might be priests, they might be religious, they might be lay people,” said diocesan chancellor Jerome Klein.
Inquiries are done discreetly and cover the needs of the diocese but do not include the names of candidates.
Other keys to the consultation process are how it is bound by strict confidentiality and takes time.
That is just fine with Klein. “I think there is more consultation than people might understand,” he said. “I’d rather that they do a good, thorough job of understanding the needs of this diocese and finding the right person for that position. If it takes a little longer to do that, we will be well served in the long run.”
So while the diocese has no bishop now and likely will not have one for a while, the work of the diocese does not stop. There are liturgical functions, management issues and other events that need attention, planning and fulfillment.
For liturgical events, “I think we’ll look to local resources,” said vice-chancellor Nancy Werner. “Father Martin Lawrence has been the local expert for putting together or helping put together blessings, rites and Masses.”
Werner also looks to see the role of the vicar general (Father Charles Cimpl) enhanced during this transitional period. “I think the thing we do not know yet is what the apostolic administrator’s role will be in diocesan life,” she said.
That role will be defined during meetings with the newly appointed administrator.
Some activities within the diocese do need a bishop; for example, the annual Chrism Mass. The newly appointed apostolic administrator will return for the Sioux Falls Chrism Mass (on March 2) while retired Bishop Paul V. Dudley will preside over the Aberdeen Chrism Mass (March 9).
A bishop is also required at the diocesan ordinations to the priesthood and diaconate. Werner said Bishop Carlson may return to preside over those ordinations in June.
But there are other liturgies and sacraments that can be administered by parish priests. “There are other things where a bishop, or in this case, an apostolic administrator can delegate the responsibility to pastors,” said Klein. “For example, Bishop Carlson already did that for confirmations for this year.”
Another issue usually supervised by a bishop is priest assignments. This year, there will be two ordinations to the priesthood and priest retirements to address.
“Bishop Carlson already began the process with the personnel board,” said Klein. “Certainly the apostolic administrator will be part of the process and in consultation with the priest personnel board, the administrator will make the appointments.”
Even covering what needs to be covered by the diocese, it could be between 8-12 months before a new bishop is appointed and installed in Sioux Falls.
That does not worry Werner. “I have to believe like in any organization we will get into some routine.” Werner said. “We have a whole building full of talented people with programs already in place and planning for summer and fall programs underway,” she said.
Toward that goal, the diocesan staff has already put in a great deal of time and energy planning and working for the transition.
But Bishop Carlson served the diocese for eleven years, so even with planning and management, the feel of the months ahead will be different.
Werner says that is not necessarily a bad thing. “I think there ought to be a little difference and I think that is where God can take the prayers of the people of this diocese and through those prayers we will be given the gift of a strong, new leader; a leader that will take us into ’05 and ’06,” she said. “It is a time to be patient, to trust and to be diligent with prayer,” Werner said. “I think those are the keys to success for the transition period.”
“I feel really confident that with the leadership in the chancery, the role of the vicar general and the blessing of an apostolic administrator that we will be in fine shape in terms of Church leadership,” said Werner.