The Election of Bishops by Clergy and People: Antonio Rosmini's Neglected Solution

Abstract

Nineteenth-century priest, philosopher, and theologian Antonio Rosmini argued that the ordinary way of appointing bishops must be through elections by the local clergy and people. All other procedures, including papal nominations, are extraordinary measures that must be resorted to only as a “lesser evil” when exceptional circumstances prevent carrying out elections. This article recovers and critically assesses Rosmini's insights in favor of episcopal elections, with an eye to their relevance to both the current situation in the Roman Catholic Church and ecumenism.