Why in the world would a Catholic diocese put a poll on its web site asking people to vote on whether they think bishops should be appointed by the Vatican [sic] or elected by the people? What possible purpose could something like that serve, especially since web polls are notoriously unscientific? All it will do is spread discontent and confusion among the laity. Isn’t a bishop supposed to be a sign of unity?
(Thanks to Mark Shea for the link.)
I say we all visit the link and make our dissatisfaction know in the comments section!
78% of the respondants say “we trust the Holy Father” more than we trust our priests and bishops.
I voted the max allowable times. 2 per household!
The votes seem to be running about 3-to-1 in favor of the status quo. Setting aside that the poll is meaningless, I find the choices unsastifactory. Until about one hundred years ago, bishops were elected in a great variety of ways that had arisen locally and organically, or had (by necessity at some point) been imposed from far away. There was quite a mixture of election styles. I’d just as soon see more local voice in elections—until that moment when the local voice needs to quiet down and listen, for some reason or other. But Roman appointments shouldn’t be the general rule.