Milestones in the Hierarchy 2007

The Code of Canon Law requires that all diocesan bishops submit a letter of resignation to the Holy See on their 75th birthday. After due consideration of various circumstances, the Holy See decides when to accept the resignation and appoint a successor (Canon 401, § 1). Likewise, in the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis of Pope John Paul II (February 22, 1996), a document which governs the papal interregnum and the conclave that elects a new Roman Pontiff, the prescript laid down by Paul VI that cardinals who have reached the age of 80 can no longer vote in the next papal conclave was confirmed. Thus, this becomes a significant milestone in the life of a prince of the Church.

During the year, eight cardinals will turn 80 years old. Some of these eight held or currently hold important positions in the Church. First among them is Cardinal Sodano, who just relinquished his role as the second-in-command at the Vatican as the Secretary of State in September. The Chamberlain, Cardinal Somalo, who plays a key role in a papal interregnum will turn 80 in March. Cardinal Martini, S.J., often mentioned as a possible candidate for the papacy in the last conclave, will celebrate his birthday in March. Finally, Cardinal Szoka, an American who until this past September was the head of Vatican City-State, will turn 80 in September. Rounding out the list are Cardinals Rivera of Mexico City, Paskai of Budapest, Macharski of Krakow, and Vithayathil of the Syro-Malabar Rite in India.

Going into the new year, there are fifteen Ordinaries in the United States who are past the normal retirement age, including two cardinals (Maida of Detroit and Keeler of Baltimore) and two archbishops (Kelly of Louisville and Lipscomb of Mobile).

In 2007, one cardinal, Edward Egan of New York, will turn 75 (April 2) along with Cardinal Stafford, an American native, who is currently the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary in Rome (July 26). Two archbishops, Eldin Curtiss of Omaha (June 16) and Alfred Hughes of New Orleans (December 2) will reach this milestone.

Four ordinaries will turn 75 this year. They are Bishops Nevins of Venice (January 19), Murray of Kalamazoo (July 5), Moynihan of Syracuse (July 16), and D’Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend (August 18). The list also includes three auxiliaries: Bishops Quinn of Cleveland (April 8), Dougherty of Scranton (April 29), and Chavez of San Diego (May 9).