Bishop Rivituso relinquishes titular see as he heads to new diocese
When Archbishop-elect Mark Rivituso was consecrated as a bishop in 2017, he was given the titular see (diocese) of Turuzi.
Bishops without a territorial diocese of their own are given a see that once flourished but now exists only in name or title. Turuzi was an ancient city in the Roman province of Africa Proconsularis, part of northern Tunisia. It’s now part of the Church’s list of titular sees.
Because a bishop is the head of his flock, the Church’s tradition is that he is ordained to serve a specific place. Titular sees are given to bishops who are not appointed to head a diocese — including auxiliary bishops, papal diplomats and officials of the Roman Curia. It’s a tangible sign of his communion with the head of the College of Bishops, the Roman pontiff and its members. A titular see also honors those dioceses that once existed but have since been suppressed.
When Archbishop-elect Rivituso takes possession of the Archdiocese of Mobile at his installation Mass Sept. 3, his titular see will stand vacant.
