As the formal announcement indicates, it is the Supreme Pontiff in Rome who makes the final choice. He alone has that power. But in his decision, as might be expected, he is guided by the advice of bishops and experienced priests in the immediate area concerned.

The procedure in this matter is well defined, though it varies from country to country, depending on historical circumstances and the relations of Church and state. In the United States it follows regulations laid down by the Vatican in 1916.

At the beginning of Lent, each archbishop calls upon the bishops of his province to submit names of one or two priests whom they judge to be of episcopal caliber. The nominees may include men who live outside the diocese of the recommending bishop, but they must be well known to him. Before they make their recommendations, the bishops seek out the advice of their top-ranking priests and other men in the diocese.

The suggested names are kept strictly secret by the recommending bishops and the archbishop who receives them. After the names are received, the archbishop adds his own selections and sends the complete list, arranged alphabetically, back to the bishops, so that they may make inquiries about the men on it who are not known to them.

Shortly after Easter the bishops meet the archbishop privately, and discuss the candidates listed. They vote on them by secret ballot. One copy of the result is kept in the archdiocesan archives and the other is forwarded to the apostolic delegate in Washington.

The apostolic delegate studies the reports submitted to him from these various meetings and forms his opinion as to the outstanding candidates for the episcopacy. When a vacancy occurs he uses this background knowledge, along with information gained by consulting the archbishop in the area, to prepare a list of the three most likely candidates.

Then he begins a detailed investigation, querying the ecclesiastical colleagues of the candidates. These men are bound under pain of excommunication to keep the fact that they were questioned, and their replies, under strict secrecy. The questionnaire goes into every aspect of the candidate’s private and public life. The results of the inquiries, which may add up to a 30 or 40 page dossier on each candidate, are sent to the Sacred Consistorial Congregation in Rome, accompanied by the apostolic delegate’s recommendations.

The Consistorial Congregation, a branch of the Vatican which deals with the government of dioceses, studies the reports submitted. It may make further inquiries. When it comes to a final decision, it asks the chosen man, through the apostolic delegate, if he will accept the appointment. His reply, whether yes or no, is kept in strictest secrecy between the Consistorial Congregation, the candidate and his own bishop.

If the candidate signifies willingness, the Cardinal Secretary of the Consistorial Congregation submits the matter to the Holy Father for his necessary approval. The word of the official appointment is first made known in the columns of L’Osservatore Romano, Vatican City Daily.

Unless there is some legitimate obstacle, a priest promoted to the episcopate must be consecrated within three months after he receives his letters of appointment. He is obliged to go to his diocese within four months. He is considered to be in formal or canonical possessions of the diocese as soon as he presents his letters of appointment to the diocesan consultors.