Friday, October 17, 2008

Difference between a Coadjutor and an Auxiliary

Auxiliary walks into the bishop's office in the morning and asks: "Everything ok today?"

Coadjutor walks into the bishop's office and asks: "How are you feeling today?"

As said by Archbishop Pilarczyk at the press conference.

This is going to be confusing with two Archbishops.

4 comments:

LargeBill said...

"This is going to be confusing with two Archbishops. "

Hopefully, not so much. My understanding is they have past experiences working together. I would imagine they will quickly work out a plan of succession. It is obviously far different, but in the Navy a few times I had over lap between myself and the person relieving me or the guy I was relieving. After a short period it did get uncomfortable. People would walk in the your office and wouldn't be sure who to ask about various issues. You quickly realize you have to let the relief run things and you have to get lost so you don't undermine his authority.

Gail F said...

I think Fr. Schnipple meant that it will be confusing for US with two men who have the title of "Archbishop," in terms of news stories and references, rather than that it would be confusing for them.

Father Schnippel said...

Exactly, Gail.

We are so used to just saying 'Archbishop' when meaning Archbishop Pilarczyk. Now the question is going to have to be asked: "Which one?"

Adoro said...

I'm sure that happened here, too. We recently experienced the change from Archbishop Flynn to Archbishop Nienstedt, and it was confusing at time even for lay people who wanted to know which Bishop to contact about things (not necessarily negative things!). After all...no one wants to send an impersonal letter or message, especially to a Bishop!

It did become clear over time that official things involved the formal Archbishop, but things that were ongoing went to our Co-Adjutor Bishop.

Even now, although our new Archbishop has been installed (hee hee...St. Paul-Minneapolis in the year of St. Paul! Our Dear Papa took note at that time), Archbishop Flynn is still around and celebrates Masses, does Confirmations, etc.

I can't speak for the "internal workings" of things, though as my job doesn't involve calling the Chancery for anything other than general info on things.