Explanation

The amendment to Section 1 allows a diocese to have its Bishop Suffragan, Bishop Coadjutor or another Bishop serve as Bishop Diocesan Pro Tempore and exercise jurisdiction if the Bishop Diocesan dies or resigns. Some dioceses have had the Suffragan or other Bishop act in this capacity and this amendment provides a Canonical process for these options. Current Section 3 is moved to become Section 1(b), as amended. The amendment to Section 2 provides for a Bishop Provisional to serve for a stated period of time pursuant to a letter of agreement without exercising jurisdiction. Dioceses, especially ones covering a large geographic area, have the option to call more than one Bishop Provisional to ensure that the entire diocese is properly covered or to have one Bishop Provisional cover certain duties with another covers other duties.