Q: I observe a practice that is becoming common in our celebrations here, mostly when a bishop is the one presiding. I don’t know if this is a local practice or it can be allowed. When the bishop is around for a liturgical celebration, the parish priest or any minister assigned to the task welcomes the assembly, and asks the Vicar general, if he is around, to invite the Bishop to preside over the celebration. Is there really a need to invite explicitly the bishop to preside the Mass since one of the reasons he has come is to preside over the Mass? Does it really make sense or it is just a way of artificially solemnising a solemnity?

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A: I’ve not heard of this, and I asked my bishop. He hasn’t heard of it either.

To me, it makes no sense for anyone to ask the bishop to preside. After all, the local priest always presides at the invitation of the bishop. More appropriate would be for the local community to thank the bishop for his visit.