Archbishop Alois Kothgasser to Retire at 75

(Salzburg / Rome)Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop of Salzburg Alois Kothgasser. The Primas Germaniae had completed his 75th year in July 2012. On this occasion he offered his resignation according to the provisions of canon law. Pope Benedict XVI. did not accept it because he left typically left resident archbishops for two years in office. The new Pope has now accepted the request. Last year, Archbishop Kothgasser was urged to leave from office. The question of succession is of great importance for Austria. Salzburg is one of two Austrian church provinces. Archdiocese of Salzburg subjects the bishoprics of Innsbruck, Feldkirch, Gurk-Klagenfurt and Graz-Seckau. The age of the archbishop's seat also is also a significant feature in the appointment of the successor. Conversely, as in the younger dioceses, it is the Holy See, where three candidates are proposed submitted by the cathedral chapter. For this there are the twelve canons who choose the new archbishop, who - although not cardinals - may carry the purple Legatus natus. And he must then as Primas Germaniae wear his rank everywhere as opposed to the other "born legates", not just within his diocese. Refer to the replacement of the Archdiocese of Salzburg's report Who will be the new Archbishop of Salzburg? Austria and the "white" heresy. [In German, but forthcoming.] Link to Katholisches...

Edit: the rank of "born legate" belongs to some of the major sees like Prague and Salzburg, which confer the rank by virtue of the Diocese.