Episcopal Rumors: Four from area on short lists!

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Rocco the Irrepressible, has more episcopal gossip this morning. Four of our area's Bishops are on short lists for Pittsburgh and other places.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette previously identified eight bishops who Archbishop Pietro Sambi, papal nuncio to the United States, appears certain to consider as he chooses three names to forward to the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops. They are Bishops Blase Cupich, 57, of Rapid City, S.D.; Kevin Farrell, 59, auxiliary of Washington, D.C.; Joseph Kurtz, 60, of Knoxville, Tenn.; Joseph McFadden, 59, auxiliary of Philadelphia; John Nienstedt, 59, of New Ulm, Minn.; Thomas Paprocki, 54, auxiliary of Chicago; Dennis Schnurr, 58, of Duluth, Minn.; and David Zubik, 57, of Green Bay, Wis.

No rumors as to whether or not a Coadjutor Archbishop is soon in the offing for St Paul-Minneapolis. The last rumor said, "by the end of the year." But with all the current vacancies and a Church that is 16 times larger than the U.S.'s Catholic population, I don't know that we are considered to be a priority.

Of 195 U.S. dioceses, seven are vacant, two for more than 18 months. Another 14 bishops, including two cardinals, are past the retirement age of 75. Whispers in the Loggia

It is great to see that a certain other area Bishop is NOT on any OTHER short lists right now!