By Bridget Spinks
Perth Archbishop Barry Hickey’s letter of resignation which he presented to the Holy Father on his 75th birthday has been accepted in principle by the Holy Father nunc pro tunc (now for then) to take effect once his successor is announced.
“The Pope has indicated to me he wants me to stay on until my successor is announced,” Archbishop Hickey told The Record. “I am happy to do so and will gladly do my best to fulfill the demands of the position until the time has arrived to stand down,” he said.
He said he was very pleased the Holy Father has accepted his offer, “because I think at 75 one should be prepared to step down. There is no doubt that in the Church the office of Archbishop is very important – and well-earned – to the faith life of the people,” he said.
“Any Archbishop must accept both the joys and the problems of office while trusting always in the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” he said.
The Archbishop urged people to pray for him during this interim period and also pray to the Holy Spirit for a worthy successor to lead the Church into this new century.
“It’s too early to make speeches but I’m grateful to all the priests, Religious and laity who have supported me over the years,” he said.
The Holy Father will choose who will be the new Archbishop of Perth. Australia’s Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Guiseppe Lazzarotto will give Pope Benedict XVI a terna, a shortlist of three names of possible successors.
The outgoing Archbishop does not choose his successor but may indicate his views. In all probability, it will be someone who is already a Bishop but that is not necessarily the case.
According to Canon Law, to be a suitable candidate for the episcopate, a person must be outstanding in strong faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence and human virtues and possess those other gifts which equip him to fulfill the office in question.
In addition, he must be held in good esteem; be at least 35 years old; be a priest ordained for at least five years; hold a doctorate or at least a licentiate in sacred Scripture, theology or Canon Law from an institute of higher studies approved by the Apostolic See, or at least be well versed in these disciplines.