What to expect in the Diocese of Tucson

 

What happens next in the Diocese of Tucson? It’s a question many are asking throughout our 43,000 square mile Catholic community. Well, for starters, Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger is our Apostolic Administrator until he is installed as the Archbishop of Detroit in Detroit on March 18, 2025. 

 

At the time of Weisenburger’s departure, a new Apostolic Administrator will be appointed, or the Diocesan College of Consultors will convene within 8 days of Weisenburger's installation to nominate a Diocesan Administrator. An Apostolic Administrator is a bishop or priest who is appointed by the Holy See to temporarily manage the day-to-day activities in a diocese when it doesn’t have a permanent bishop in place. The College of Consultors consist of veteran priests in the diocese who have served in leadership roles advising the bishop. The size of the group ranges between 6 and 12. This group will meet within eight days from the moment Archbishop Weisenburger becomes the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Detroit and elect a diocesan administrator from the Diocese of Tucson presbyterate College of Consultors who will manage the diocese until a new bishop is named. The Diocesan Administrator will perform duties permitted by Canon law until a Bishop for Tucson is installed, as he continues to serve as pastor of his respective parish or diocesan ministry and continues to be referred to as Father or Reverend. The length of tenure is open-ended, until a new bishop is appointed. 

 

Until March 18, 2025, when Archbishop Weisenburger is installed, during the Eucharistic Prayer, priests will continue to pray for our bishop by saying, “And Edward, our Bishop." However, after the installation, it will depend on who is appointed Apostolic Administrator. If it is a bishop, that bishop would be named, if not, no name would be substituted. 

 

 At this stage you may be asking why all this matters. It’s because our Church is governed by Canon Law, our code of ecclesiastical laws. Like any system it’s how we function, what guides us, and ultimately leads our Church to follow God’s grace. In the days ahead it’ll be natural to wonder and perhaps worry about the future of the Diocese of Tucson, but rest assured our faith will provide.