Urząd administratora diecezji koszalińsko-kołobrzeskiej w okresie wakatu 3.03–9.07.2007 roku

Abstract

At the head of the diocese, by decision of the Pope, is the diocesan bishop equipped with the threefold power: legislative, executive and judicial. The Code of Canon Law provides for the possibility of a vacancy on the Episcopal capital. Such a situation can be dictated by several circumstances provided by law. In that case, the college of consultors elects a diocesan administrator to run the local Church until a new diocesan bishop takes over the diocese. Bishop Tadeusz Werno has held such an office three times. Being the temporary administrator of the particular Church, he assumed all the duties of the diocesan bishop during this period. He was obliged to fulfill them by exercising his authority to teach, sanctify and govern. All the tasks flowing from this he undertook in conjunction with the Bishop of Rome. Through his rule, he was, as it were, a guarantee of the continuity of authority and apostolic succession in the leadership of the diocese. At the same time, the temporal nature of his rule did not prevent him from carrying out his ministry of governing the faithful in accordance with the salvific mission of the Church.

Keywords

• diocesan administrator
• diocesan government
• ordinary and proprietary authority
• temporary authority
• Bishop Tadeusz Werno