What is role/power of Archbishop of an archdiocese over its suffragon diocese in India?

-- Dr. Vincent Barla (barlavincent@rediffmail.com), February 07, 2002

Answers

Hello, Dr. Barla.
I will give you an answer with respect to the Latin (Western) rite of the Church, because it will come from the (Western) Code of Canon Law (1983). If you need an answer with respect to the Eastern rites of the Church (some of which, I know, are prominent in India), you would have to seek a copy of the Eastern Code, which I do not have (and the text of which is not yet accessible on the Internet).
John

Here are the pertinent paragraphs from the Code to answer your question:

"Can. 435 An ecclesiastical province is presided over by a Metropolitan, who is Archbishop in his own diocese. The office of Metropolitan is linked to an episcopal see, determined or approved by the Roman Pontiff.

"Can. 436
§1 Within the suffragan dioceses, the Metropolitan is competent:
1° to see that faith and ecclesiastical discipline are carefully observed and to notify the Roman Pontiff if there be any abuses;
2° for a reason approved beforehand by the Apostolic See, to conduct a canonical visitation if the suffragan Bishop has neglected it; [I believe that this refers to visiting houses of religious. (JFG)]
3° to appoint a diocesan Administrator in accordance with canon 421 §2 and 425 §3 [See the text of these below (JFG)].
§2 Where circumstances require it, the Apostolic See can give the Metropolitan special functions and power, to be determined in particular law.
§3 The Metropolitan has no other power of governance over suffragan dioceses. He can, however, celebrate sacred functions in all churches as if he were a Bishop in his own diocese, provided, if it is the cathedral church, the diocesan Bishop has been previously notified.

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Can. 421
§1 Within eight days of receiving notification of the vacancy of an episcopal see, a diocesan Administrator is to be elected by the college of consultors, to govern the diocese for the time being ...
§2 If, for any reason, the diocesan Administrator is not lawfully elected within the prescribed time, his appointment devolves upon the Metropolitan. If the metropolitan see is itself vacant, or if both the metropolitan see and a suffragan see are vacant, the appointment devolves on the suffragan who is senior by promotion.

Can. 425
§1 Only a priest who has completed his thirty­fifth year of age, and has not already been elected, appointed or presented for the same see, can validly be deputed to the office of diocesan Administrator.
§2 As diocesan Administrator a priest is to be elected who is outstanding for doctrine and prudence.
§3 If the conditions prescribed in §1 have not been observed, the Metropolitan or, if the metropolitan see itself is vacant, the suffragan senior by promotion, having verified the truth of the matter, is to appoint an Administrator for that occasion. The acts of a person elected contrary to the provisions of §1 are by virtue of the law itself invalid.

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), February 07, 2002.