Q: Whenever the bishop is present at a Mass where the people are gathered, “it is most fitting that he himself celebrates the Eucharist and associate priests with himself as concelebrants in the sacred action” (GIRM 92). My question is about a retired bishop who is a religious. In a case of the celebration of funeral mass of a religious member of that congregation or of the celebration of the foundation day, does this principle announced in GIRM 92 applies, i.e., it should be the bishop to preside over the celebration or it is the right of the Major Superior to preside over the celebration as stipulated in canon 619 that the Superior has “to nourish the members regularly with the food of the word of God and are to draw them to the celebration of the sacred liturgy.” Thank you for your insights
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A: I’d leave this to the bishop and the major superior to work out. Some may want it one way, some another. My understanding is that the bishop would hold seniority in the decision-making.

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