Question 185 — Things Pertaining to the Episcopal State

We must now consider things pertaining to the episcopal state. Under this head there are eight points of inquiry:

(1) Whether it is lawful to desire the office of a bishop?

• (2) Whether it is lawful to refuse the office of bishop definitively?
• (3) Whether the better man should be chosen for the episcopal office?
• (4) Whether a bishop may pass over to the religious state?
• (5) Whether he may lawfully abandon his subjects in a bodily manner?
• (6) Whether he can have anything of his own?
• (7) Whether he sins mortally by not distributing ecclesiastical goods to the poor?
• (8) Whether religious who are appointed to the episcopal office are bound to religious observances?