Cardinal (Catholicism)

A Cardinal is a high ranking ecclesiastical official in the Roman Catholic Church. The term is derived from the Latin cardo, or hinge, referring to the fulcrum-like or pivotal leadership role that these officials play. Indeed, in the history of the Catholic church, the cardinals played a pivotal role supporting the pope, and on some occasions they aided him in times of danger. Their presence and duties help maintain direction and purpose, even in times of transition, in a large, worldwide ecclesiastical organization. Before the Pope designated them as cardinals, these men were generally bishops. Once appointed as Cardinals, they became members of the College of Cardinals. This group's duties include attending the meetings of the Sacred College, making themselves available for counsel at the Pope's request, leading many of the Church's dioceses and archdioceses, running the Roman Curia, and for those cardinals younger than 80 years old, electing the next Pope. Upon a Pope's death, the College runs the church during the vacancy in the papacy. At the time of Pope John Paul II's death, 117 of the those 183 cardinals were young enough to be electors.

History

One of the early notable cardinals was Saint Peter Damian who was born in Ravenna, Italy in 1007. He was the youngest child and was orphaned at a young age. He was sent to live with one of his married brothers who treated him roughly and forced him to take care of the pigs. Once, as a hungry youth, he found a coin among the pigs' food. Rather than buy food or something else for himself, he decided to donate the money to a priest, reasoning, "The pleasure it would procure me would soon pass away. I had better give it to a priest, that he may offer up the holy sacrifice for my father's soul." Soon afterward, another of his brothers, Damian, arch priest of Ravenna, found him in his miserable condition, tending the pigs. The priest took young Peter with him, enrolled him in a school, first at Parma, then Fienza. Eventually he studied under the famous Dr. Ivo.

Peter was an excellent student who was eager to learn. Since his progress was rapid, he soon taught others and eventually became rich. However, he maintained the humble attitude of his youth, and he decided to relinquish his wealth to God. He was praying and searching to understand how better to serve God. Two representataives of the Benedictine monks of Fonte-Avellano visited him, and he joined their monastery. He became the abbot of the poor people of that area, and he wrote much about the history and lifestyle of the eleventh century. He encouraged the people to practice good moral values.

Later Peter became a cardinal. Gregory, the count of Tusculum, had allowed troops to invade the church and steal items which were later distributed to the people and put Benedict into power. St. Peter Damian later spoke to Benedict regarding this matter. Benedict then repented before Nicholas II, who later assumed the papacy.

To prevent similar power struggles in the future, Pope Nicholas II declared in April 1059 that "You are aware, my brethren, of the orders which followed the death of my predecessor, Stephen X. The Holy See became the prey of unworthy simoniacs, and the Church herself seemed in a moment of danger. To prevent any similar further abuse in the future, we decree, according to the authority of the Fathers, that at the death of the Pope, the cardinal bishops shall first treat of the elections, after which the cardinal priests may be called in, and it shall finally be consented to the other clergy and to the people."

However, simply electing the Pope held no guarantee that the Holy See and the church could exercise their dominion without conflict. During medieval times, for example, the Roman nobility acquired excessive influence, and the Holy Roman Emperors interfered with the selection of a Pope. Occasionally leaders from other countries also attempted to interfere with the pope's ability to exercise and maintain his power. For example, when Paschall II was Pope, King Henry V of Germany rallied his forces to attack St. Peter's Basilica from which they stole sacred vessels and ornaments. Henry V was angry because the Holy See refused to grant him investiture, or the authority to grant confirmations, April 3, 1111. Later he captured Pope Gelisius who escaped to Gaeta then reappeared in Rome thanks, in part, to help from his loyal cardinals.

Eventually the papacy and cardinals regained influence, and the cardinals obtained the right to elect the Pope in 1159. The procedure takes place in this manner. The cardinal bishops meet to discuss the candidates for Pope. They decide upon several candidates who could qualify. Two-thirds of those gathered have to agree on the selection. The Second Council of Lyons decided in 1274 that those cardinals making this decision should meet in a secluded place within ten days of the Pope's passing so they would not be disturbed by others while making this important decision.

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, these proposals have not been adopted, primarily 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.

Pope Sixtus V (1521-1590) limited the number of cardinals to 70. In 1975, Pope Paul VI established an age limit for electors and raised that limit to a total of 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 those 183 cardinals were young enough to be electors.

Administrative Structure

Vestments of a cardinal

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).

The Pope assigns most cardinal bishops 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. However, the Pope must approve this selection.

The Pope may also decide to appoint patriarchs of the Eastern Rite churches 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 as a minimum the cardinal must hold the order of priesthood. Those who are not already bishops must receive episcopal consecration. Normally, only bishops can 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 requested 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 these people's new position; the Holy Father does not even reveal this news to the candidates. Popes do this to protect the secret cardinals and their congregations from suffering attacks from angry enemies if their identities were known.

Popes have the perogative to announce these "in pectore" cardinals if their situation changes and such an announcement would no longer prove detrimental to their safety. However, if the pope dies before he reveals the "in pectore" cardinal's name, that person's cardinalate expires, and no one is allowed to know who had held that position.

For example, Pope John Paul II, named an in pectore cardinal during his tenure. That person's name remained secret up to the Pope's death on April 2, 2005. Many people wondered whether the Holy Father's will would reveal the name of the in pectore cardinal. However, that person's name was not mentioned.

Other privileges

• If the cardinal does not hold the position of bishop, he is not allowed to have a bishop's ceremonial privileges.
• 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."

Regalia

The Cardinal's formal or choir garments include the rochet, which is always white, and these other scarlet vestments: the cassock, mozzetta, zucchetto, and biretta. For common or everyday clothing, a cardinal wears a black simar with a scarlet sash and trim. The bright color, which is the shade of blood, symbolizes a cardinal's willingness to die for his faith if necessary like Christ and the saints. It is also similar to the color of the Cardinal birds for which they are named. He also wears a ring, a symbol of eternity and commitment, which the Catholic faithful traditionally kiss when they greet him to portray their respect for his position of authority in the faith.

Cardinals in popular culture

• Charlton Heston and Tim Curry, as well as other actors, have played Cardinal Richelieu in various releases of "The Three Musketeers".
• Orson Welles held the role of Thomas Cardinal Wolsey in the 1966 screen presentation of A Man for All Seasons.
• George Carlin played the fictional Cardinal Ignatius Glick in Kevin Smith's Dogma.

References

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(Please add three scholarly references on your topic.)

A General History of the Catholic Church from the Commencement of the Christian Era to the Twentieth Century, by M. L'Abbe J. E. Darras, pages 59, 85, 86

St. Patrick's Church, Saints of February 21 (Internet), 1999, Katherine J. Rabenstein—notes on St. Peter Damian.

External links

• The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church information on the Cardinals of the Catholic Church

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