Canon 168

With regard to the appointment of the metropolitan and bishops,

for each case the council of hierarchs is to compose a list of at

least three of the more suitable candidates and send the list to

the Apostolic See, observing secrecy even toward the candidates;

in order to compile the list, the members of the council of hierarchs, if they judge it to be expedient, can seek the opinion of

certain presbyters or other Christian faithful outstanding in

wisdom concerning the needs of the Church and the special talents

of a person required for the episcopate.