Difference between revisions of "Cardinal (Catholicism)" - New World Encyclopedia
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A '''cardinal''' is the second ranking senior ecclesiastical official in the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope appoints him as a member of the College of Cardinals during a consistory. The cardinal's duties include attending the meetings of the Sacred College and making himself available for counsel at the Pope's request. Other common duties include leading many of the church's dioceses and archdioceses or running the Roman Curia. | A '''cardinal''' is the second ranking senior ecclesiastical official in the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope appoints him as a member of the College of Cardinals during a consistory. The cardinal's duties include attending the meetings of the Sacred College and making himself available for counsel at the Pope's request. Other common duties include leading many of the church's dioceses and archdioceses or running the Roman Curia. | ||
| − | Cardinals formal or choir garments contain the rochet, which is always white, and these other items | + | Cardinals formal or choir garments contain the rochet, which is always white, and these other scarlet items: the cassock, mozzetta, zucchetto, and biretta. His common clothing is a simar, which is black with a scarlet sash and trim. The scarlet color symbolizes a cardinal's willingness to die for his faith. He also wears a ring which the Catholic faithful traditionally kiss when they greet him. |
| − | Upon a pope's death, the college runs the church during the vacancy in the papacy. Those College Cardinals | + | Upon a pope's death, the college runs the church during the vacancy in the papacy. Those College Cardinals younger than 80 years old are also responsible for [[electing the next Pope]]. |
| − | [[Pope Sixtus V]] limited the number of cardinals to 70 (six [[Cardinal Bishops]]s, 50 [[Cardinal Priest]]s, 14 [[Cardinal Deacon]]s). In 1975, [[Pope Paul VI]] established an age limit for electors and raised the limit to 120 cardinal electors. However, frequently this numerical limitation | + | [[Pope Sixtus V]] limited the number of cardinals to 70, which include (six [[Cardinal Bishops]]s, 50 [[Cardinal Priest]]s, 14 [[Cardinal Deacon]]s). In 1975, [[Pope Paul VI]] established an age limit for electors and raised the limit to 120 cardinal electors. However, the Popes have frequently ignored this numerical limitation to make the College of Cardinals a more representative body. [[Pope John Paul II]] elevated an additional 31 cardinals in a [[consistory]] on October 21, 2003, bringing the number of cardinals at that time to 194. At the time of John Paul II's death, 117 of the then-current 183 cardinals were young enough to be electors. |
| − | The term "cardinal" | + | The term "cardinal" is derived from the [[Latin]] ''cardo'', or [[hinge]], referring to the [[fulcrum]]-like or pivotal leadership role that these officials play. The red color of the cardinals' [[vestment]]s, is similar to the color of the [[cardinal]] birds for which they are named. |
==Orders== | ==Orders== | ||
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According to Canon 350 of the 1983 [[Code of Canon Law]], the College of Cardinals is divided into three orders: | According to Canon 350 of the 1983 [[Code of Canon Law]], the College of Cardinals is divided into three orders: | ||
* the Episcopal Order ([[Cardinal Bishop]]s), | * the Episcopal Order ([[Cardinal Bishop]]s), | ||
| − | * the Presbyteral Order ([[Cardinal Priest]]s), the | + | * the Presbyteral Order ([[Cardinal Priest]]s), which is the largest group, |
* the Diaconal Order ([[Cardinal Deacon]]s). | * the Diaconal Order ([[Cardinal Deacon]]s). | ||
| − | Most cardinal bishops are those to whom the Pope assigns the title of a [[suburbicarian diocese|suburbicarian]] church | + | Most cardinal bishops are those to whom the Pope assigns the title of a [[suburbicarian diocese|suburbicarian]] church. That group elects a [[Dean of the College of Cardinals]] to be the head of the college, the [[first among equals]]; the election must be approved by the Pope. |
| − | At the Pope's discretion, [[patriarch]]s of the [[Eastern Rite]] churches may also be appointed to the college. When appointed, they become cardinal bishops without holding a suburbicarian see, | + | At the Pope's discretion, [[patriarch]]s of the [[Eastern Rite]] churches may also be appointed to the college. When appointed, they become cardinal bishops without holding a suburbicarian see; however, they cannot elect the dean or be elected dean. |
| − | The Pope assigns each Cardinal | + | The Pope assigns each Cardinal priest and cardinal deacon a church or deaconry in Rome. All cardinal priests and almost all cardinal deacons are actually [[bishop]]s. |
| − | Originally any Catholic male could be appointed to the College: for example in the 16th century [[Reginald Cardinal Pole|Reginald Pole]] was a cardinal for 18 years before he was ordained a priest. Today, Canon 351 specifically requires that a cardinal at least hold the order of [[priest|priesthood]]. Those who are not already [[bishops]] must receive episcopal consecration. Only bishops can normally be established as cardinals. A recent exception is [[Avery Cardinal Dulles]], [[Society of Jesus|S.J.]], who was a priest when he attained this position in 2001. He successfully petitioned [[Pope John Paul II]] | + | Originally any Catholic male could be appointed to the College: for example in the 16th century [[Reginald Cardinal Pole|Reginald Pole]] was a cardinal for 18 years before he was ordained a priest. Today, Canon 351 specifically requires that a cardinal at least hold the order of [[priest|priesthood]]. Those who are not already [[bishops]] must receive episcopal consecration. Only bishops can normally be established as cardinals. A recent exception is [[Avery Cardinal Dulles]], a member of the [[Society of Jesus|S.J.]], who was a priest when he attained this position in 2001. He successfully petitioned [[Pope John Paul II]] to be excused from the requirement of episcopal consecration due to his advanced age. Although he is not a bishop, he is still entitled to wear the episcopal vestments and regalia of miter, crozier, pectoral cross, ring, and he is allowed to have a coat of arms because he is a cardinal. However, his category is restricted to the lower two orders of cardinals. |
==Secret cardinal== | ==Secret cardinal== | ||
| − | In addition to the proclaimed cardinals, a pope may name cardinals ''[[in pectore]]'', | + | In addition to the proclaimed cardinals, a pope may name cardinals by the Latin term ''[[in pectore]]'', which literally means ''in the breast.'' Only the Pope knows that these people have been named cardinal, as these cardinals are not informed of his new elevated position. Popes name these Cardinals in this manner to protect them or their congregations from reprisals from their enemies who may attack them if their identities were known. |
| − | Popes have the perogative to announce these "in pectore" cardinals if | + | Popes have the perogative to announce these "in pectore" cardinals if their situation changes, and it appears that they may now be safe under such an announcement. However, if the pope dies before he reveals the "in pectore" cardinal's name, that person's cardinalate expires. |
| − | + | [[Pope John Paul II]], named an ''in pectore'' cardinal during his tenure whose name remained secret up to his death on April 2, 2005. Many people speculated that the Holy Father's will would reveal the name of the ''in pectore'' cardinal, but it did not. | |
==Other privileges== | ==Other privileges== | ||
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*If the cardinal is not a [[bishop]], he is allowed the ceremonial privileges of one. | *If the cardinal is not a [[bishop]], he is allowed the ceremonial privileges of one. | ||
*Cardinals place a scarlet ''[[galero]]'' with thirty tassels, the ancient symbol of their office, above their [[coat of arms]]. | *Cardinals place a scarlet ''[[galero]]'' with thirty tassels, the ancient symbol of their office, above their [[coat of arms]]. | ||
| − | *Since 1630, cardinals have | + | *Since 1630, cardinals have been addressed as "Eminence." When they are elevated, the word "Cardinal" becomes part of the [[prelate]]'s name, traditionally preceding his surname. For example, the full style of [[Theodore Cardinal McCarrick|Cardinal McCarrick]] is "His Eminence, Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington|Archbishop of Washington]]." |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The cardinals did not always elect the Pope. Originally the clergy and the people of the [[ | + | The cardinals did not always elect the Pope. Originally the clergy and the people of the [[Roman]] Church elected the Pope. However during [[medieval]] times, the Roman nobility gained excessive influence. The Holy Roman Emperors interfered with the selection of a pope. However, eventually the papacy gained importance as an international figure, and the right of election was delegated to the cardinals in 1159. |
| − | The Pope could substitute another body of electors for the College of Cardinals at any time | + | The Pope could substitute another body of electors for the College of Cardinals at any time. For example, there were proposals in the past to have the [[Synod of Bishops]] perform this function. However, (the proposals have not been adopted most significantly because only the Pope can announce the meeting of the Synod of Bishops. |
| − | In [[Early Modern period | + | In the [[Early Modern period]], [[England|English]] and [[France|French]] monarchs had cardinals as their chief ministers—[[Thomas Cardinal Wolsey|Wolsey]] in England, [[Cardinal Richelieu|Richelieu]], [[Cardinal Mazarin|Mazarin]] and [[Fleury]] in France. These men were made cardinals, not because of their religious duties, but because doing so allowed their kings to pay them from church revenues. Rome accepted the loss of some revenue in order to protect the rest of its property and revenue. |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 19:52, 27 October 2006
A cardinal is the second ranking senior ecclesiastical official in the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope appoints him as a member of the College of Cardinals during a consistory. The cardinal's duties include attending the meetings of the Sacred College and making himself available for counsel at the Pope's request. Other common duties include leading many of the church's dioceses and archdioceses or running the Roman Curia.
Cardinals formal or choir garments contain the rochet, which is always white, and these other scarlet items: the cassock, mozzetta, zucchetto, and biretta. His common clothing is a simar, which is black with a scarlet sash and trim. The scarlet color symbolizes a cardinal's willingness to die for his faith. He also wears a ring which the Catholic faithful traditionally kiss when they greet him.
Upon a pope's death, the college runs the church during the vacancy in the papacy. Those College Cardinals younger than 80 years old are also responsible for electing the next Pope.
Pope Sixtus V limited the number of cardinals to 70, which include (six Cardinal Bishopss, 50 Cardinal Priests, 14 Cardinal Deacons). In 1975, Pope Paul VI established an age limit for electors and raised the limit to 120 cardinal electors. However, the Popes have frequently ignored this numerical limitation to make the College of Cardinals a more representative body. Pope John Paul II elevated an additional 31 cardinals in a consistory on October 21, 2003, bringing the number of cardinals at that time to 194. At the time of John Paul II's death, 117 of the then-current 183 cardinals were young enough to be electors.
The term "cardinal" is derived from the Latin cardo, or hinge, referring to the fulcrum-like or pivotal leadership role that these officials play. The red color of the cardinals' vestments, is similar to the color of the cardinal birds for which they are named.
Orders
According to Canon 350 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, the College of Cardinals is divided into three orders:
- the Episcopal Order (Cardinal Bishops),
- the Presbyteral Order (Cardinal Priests), which is the largest group,
- the Diaconal Order (Cardinal Deacons).
Most cardinal bishops are those to whom the Pope assigns the title of a suburbicarian church. That group elects a Dean of the College of Cardinals to be the head of the college, the first among equals; the election must be approved by the Pope.
At the Pope's discretion, patriarchs of the Eastern Rite churches may also be appointed to the college. When appointed, they become cardinal bishops without holding a suburbicarian see; however, they cannot elect the dean or be elected dean.
The Pope assigns each Cardinal priest and cardinal deacon a church or deaconry in Rome. All cardinal priests and almost all cardinal deacons are actually bishops.
Originally any Catholic male could be appointed to the College: for example in the 16th century Reginald Pole was a cardinal for 18 years before he was ordained a priest. Today, Canon 351 specifically requires that a cardinal at least hold the order of priesthood. Those who are not already bishops must receive episcopal consecration. Only bishops can normally be established as cardinals. A recent exception is Avery Cardinal Dulles, a member of the S.J., who was a priest when he attained this position in 2001. He successfully petitioned Pope John Paul II to be excused from the requirement of episcopal consecration due to his advanced age. Although he is not a bishop, he is still entitled to wear the episcopal vestments and regalia of miter, crozier, pectoral cross, ring, and he is allowed to have a coat of arms because he is a cardinal. However, his category is restricted to the lower two orders of cardinals.
Secret cardinal
In addition to the proclaimed cardinals, a pope may name cardinals by the Latin term in pectore, which literally means in the breast. Only the Pope knows that these people have been named cardinal, as these cardinals are not informed of his new elevated position. Popes name these Cardinals in this manner to protect them or their congregations from reprisals from their enemies who may attack them if their identities were known.
Popes have the perogative to announce these "in pectore" cardinals if their situation changes, and it appears that they may now be safe under such an announcement. However, if the pope dies before he reveals the "in pectore" cardinal's name, that person's cardinalate expires.
Pope John Paul II, named an in pectore cardinal during his tenure whose name remained secret up to his death on April 2, 2005. Many people speculated that the Holy Father's will would reveal the name of the in pectore cardinal, but it did not.
Other privileges
- If the cardinal is not a bishop, he is allowed the ceremonial privileges of one.
- Cardinals place a scarlet galero with thirty tassels, the ancient symbol of their office, above their coat of arms.
- Since 1630, cardinals have been addressed as "Eminence." When they are elevated, the word "Cardinal" becomes part of the prelate's name, traditionally preceding his surname. For example, the full style of Cardinal McCarrick is "His Eminence, Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington."
History
The cardinals did not always elect the Pope. Originally the clergy and the people of the Roman Church elected the Pope. However during medieval times, the Roman nobility gained excessive influence. The Holy Roman Emperors interfered with the selection of a pope. However, eventually the papacy gained importance as an international figure, and the right of election was delegated to the cardinals in 1159.
The Pope could substitute another body of electors for the College of Cardinals at any time. For example, there were proposals in the past to have the Synod of Bishops perform this function. However, (the proposals have not been adopted most significantly because only the Pope can announce the meeting of the Synod of Bishops.
In the Early Modern period, English and French monarchs had cardinals as their chief ministers—Wolsey in England, Richelieu, Mazarin and Fleury in France. These men were made cardinals, not because of their religious duties, but because doing so allowed their kings to pay them from church revenues. Rome accepted the loss of some revenue in order to protect the rest of its property and revenue.
See also
- List of cardinals
- List of deceased cardinals
Cardinals in popular culture
- Among others, Charlton Heston and Tim Curry have played Cardinal Richelieu in adaptations of The Three Musketeers.
- Orson Welles played Thomas Cardinal Wolsey in the 1966 screen adaptation of A Man for All Seasons.
- George Carlin played the fictional Cardinal Ignatius Glick in Kevin Smith's Dogma.
External links
- The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church information on the Cardinals of the Catholic Church
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