Laity selected in lottery excluded by Rome from episcopal selection in Germany

"Papal secret" cannot be extended in the election of bishops

Provost Göbel informs representatives of the faithful from the Archdiocese of Paderborn about feedback from Rome / Provisions of the Prussian Concordat regulate the election of bishops and stand in the way of considerations on further lay participation

After the Paderborn Metropolitan Chapter together with 14 representatives of the faithful from the Archdiocese of Paderborn had discussed possible proposals for the office of the new Archbishop of Paderborn in September and October 2022, it now had to be decided after an examination in Rome that further participation of persons beyond the members of the Cathedral Chapter is not possible. Cathedral Provost Monsignor Joachim Göbel informed "with regret" the 14 representatives elected by lot in a letter that the Metropolitan Chapter had a corresponding "clear answer from Rome", transmitted by the Nuncio: "In order to preserve the legality of the election, we therefore have no possibility to continue to involve you in the process of electing a bishop."

Provost Monsignor Joachim Göbel informs that a further participation of (lay) representatives in the election of the new Archbishop of Paderborn is not possible due to "a clear answer from Rome".

After consultation with the representatives of the faithful from the Archdiocese, the Metropolitan Chapter had drawn up a proposed list of persons for the office of Archbishop of Paderborn in a free and secret ballot and sent it to the Apostolic Nuncio in Berlin, Cathedral Provost Göbel reminds us of the first time that this procedure had been applied in this way. In addition, it was suggested to the Nuncio that the 14 delegates be taken into account in the individual questioning about candidates. At the same time, it had been requested that the so-called "Papal secret" be extended to the circle of the 14 delegates. This was to enable joint consultation with these delegates from the Archdiocese of Paderborn in the run-up to the election, which according to the Prussian Concordat must be the responsibility of the Cathedral Chapter. This request had been presented and explained to the Holy See from very different places and at different levels. Provost Göbel  advised the meeting of the Permanent Council of the German Bishops' Conference.

The answer from Rome makes it clear that an extension of the Papal secret and thus participation in the election of archbishops is not compatible with the provisions of the Prussian Concordat and endangers the legality of the election of bishops, says Provost Joachim Göbel in his letter. The answer from the Vatican points out that this extension cannot be made unilaterally by the Holy See, but must be agreed with the partners in the Concordat, i.e. the federal states. What form this agreement might take would have to be clarified in further talks between the German Bishops' Conference and Rome.

On behalf of the Metropolitan Chapter and the Diocesan Administrator, Provost Göbel thanked the 14 elected representatives of the faithful for their commitment and cooperation and for "the atmosphere of trust and mutual respect at our meetings".

Joint consultations

With a view to the election of bishops in September 2022, the Paderborn Metropolitan Chapter had invited nine representatives selected by lot, as well as five delegated by bodies of the Archdiocese, from all over the archdiocese, first to inform them about procedures and requirements. At a further meeting in October 2022, possible persons for the list of proposals for the Metropolitan Chapter were discussed together. With this procedure, the Paderborn Metropolitan Chapter followed the action text adopted in the "Synodal Path of the Catholic Church in Germany" for involving the faithful in the appointment of a new diocesan bishop.

Representatives of the faithful

The women and men chosen by lot, together with the three delegated by the Diocesan Pastoral Council and the two delegated by the Directors' Conference of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese and by the Caritas Association for the Archdiocese of Paderborn, formed a total group of 14. Together with the Paderborn Metropolitan Chapter of the same size, this group discussed possible candidates.

In accordance with the Prussian Concordat, the so-called list of three is drawn up in Rome. From this list, the Metropolitan Chapter elects a new Archbishop - due to the decision from Rome now without the prior participation of the delegated representatives from the entire Archdiocese of Paderborn.

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