Cardinal (Catholic Church)

Error creating thumbnail:

Template-Cardinal (Bishop)

Cardinal (Catholic Church)

A Cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical leader, considered a Prince of the Church, and usually an ordained bishop in the Catholic Church. They are appointed by the Pope and collectively form the College of Cardinals. This body advises the Pope and, most importantly, elects a new Pope in a papal conclave following a vacancy. Cardinals hold various roles in the governance of the Church, including administrative duties and presiding over certain jurisdictions. The title of "Cardinal" is a designation of honor and authority within the Church, with its origins tracing back to the early Middle Ages.

Roles and Responsibilities

Cardinals have several key responsibilities within the Catholic Church. Their primary role is to serve as principal advisors to the Pope. In addition, when the papacy is vacant, they are responsible for the governance of the Church through the General Congregations and for electing the Pope's successor in the conclave. Cardinals are often assigned to serve as heads of major departments within the Roman Curia, the administrative apparatus of the Holy See, or as archbishops in major dioceses around the world.

Selection and Appointment

The Pope has the sole authority to appoint cardinals. The criteria for selection are not strictly defined, allowing the Pope considerable discretion in choosing who to elevate to this rank. Traditionally, those chosen are bishops who have distinguished themselves in their pastoral ministry or in administrative roles within the Church's hierarchy. In recent times, Popes have also appointed cardinals from among priests who have made significant contributions to theology or canon law, without necessarily requiring them to be consecrated as bishops.

Ranks of Cardinals

Cardinals are categorized into three orders: Cardinal Bishops, Cardinal Priests, and Cardinal Deacons, reflecting an ancient distinction in the roles they assumed in the Roman Church. Cardinal Bishops are the senior rank and include the heads of the seven suburbicarian sees around Rome and the Eastern Catholic patriarchs. Cardinal Priests are usually diocesan bishops or archbishops outside of Rome. Cardinal Deacons are often officials in the Roman Curia or priests elevated to the cardinalate.

Conclave

The most significant duty of the College of Cardinals is the election of a new Pope, which occurs in a secretive meeting known as a conclave. This process is governed by the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis. Only cardinals who are under the age of 80 are eligible to vote in the conclave.

Dress and Titles

Cardinals are known for their distinctive red attire, symbolizing their willingness to defend the faith "unto the shedding of blood." They are addressed as "Your Eminence" and, in the case of cardinal bishops, as "Your Most Reverend Eminence."

Historical Development

The title of cardinal dates back to the early Church, where it referred to clergy attached to the principal churches of Rome and the deacons of the seven regional districts of the city. Over time, the role and significance of cardinals evolved, particularly during the 11th and 12th centuries, when the College of Cardinals started to take on its modern form and its exclusive right to elect the Pope was established.

Contemporary Issues

In recent years, the role and selection of cardinals have been subjects of discussion within the Church, particularly regarding the need for greater geographic diversity to reflect the global nature of Catholicism and the inclusion of more clergy from the developing world. Additionally, there have been calls for increased transparency in the operations of the College of Cardinals and for reforms in the process of selecting cardinals.