Cardinal Deacon

Exterior ornamentation of the shield of a cardinal.

The Cardinals (Latin principal) are senior dignitaries of the Church chosen by the Catholic pope and to assist him. They form the College of Cardinals or the Sacred College. Their precise title is Cardinal of Holy Roman Church (cardinalis Ecclesiae Sanctae Romanae): they are indeed the highest sphere of the Roman Church.

History

Already in the Roman Empire from Theodosius , the title of cardinal was given to officers of the crown, army generals, the praetorian prefect in Asia and Africa , because they fulfilled the major burdens of the empire.

The Cardinals were originally members of the clergy of Rome, dependent on the Bishop of Rome that they were in charge of electing. There are three orders of cardinals the cardinal bishops of dioceses circumjacent (bishoprics Suburban), cardinals priests, parishes or holders of securities of the city of Rome and the cardinal deacons, leaders of Roman Deaconries.

In 1059 , when the Gregorian reform of the Church, Pope Nicolas II defines more precisely their status and granted a rank higher than other bishops of the Church.

But in 1181 , the cardinals priests of Rome have become masters of electing the pope alone, excluding the clergy and people of Rome. They thus obtained the rule over the bishops.

In 1586 , Pope Sixtus V in his bull Postquam verus restricted the appointment of cardinals to those with minor orders for at least a year and moved to 70 the number of cardinals, in memory of the 70 elders chosen by Moses and divided into 3 Sections: 6 cardinal bishops, 50 cardinal priests, 14 cardinal-deacons.

In 1917 , the new Code of Canon Law has reserved the dignity of priests.

Until 1962 . John Paul II has yet created cardinal priests who have been consecrated bishops by the following example the Council Fathers Henri de Lubac , a Jesuit , and Yves Congar , Dominican , and a number of cardinal electors not lately. In contrast, all the cardinals present voters hold the episcopal dignity.

The College of Cardinals

The College of Cardinals or formerly called of Cardinals is the set of the holy Roman Church.

It was under the pontificate of Pope Eugenius III that the cardinals formed in 1150 the Sacred College. Over the centuries, their numbers increased and their origin has diversified with the expansion of Catholicism.

Some cardinals occupy particular positions within the College of Cardinals: his Dean bears the honorary title of and the Camerlengo of Holy Roman Church manages temporal Holy See during the papal vacation, the Protodeacon provides functions as the ceremonial announcement of the papal election.

The events that bring together the College of Cardinals are the conclave or consistory.

Since the Code of Canon Law of 1983 , we no longer speak of the Sacred College, but solely College of Cardinals (Canon 349 and following).

Structure of the College of Cardinals

Cardinal coat ceremony

The Cardinals are traditionally divided into three levels, which establish a hierarchy between them which is currently only ceremonial.

• cardinal bishops holding a diocese suburbicarian ,
  • The patriarchs of Eastern Churches , which they are assimilated
• cardinal priests holding a Roman parish,
• cardinal-deacons, deacons holding Roman.

The cardinal bishops are assigned one of eight former dioceses located around Rome : Albano , Frascati (formerly Tusculum), Ostia and Velletri , Palestrina , Porto , St. Rufina , and Sabine. However, the seats of Porto and Santa Rufina, are united in one since 1119 , and the siege of Ostia has accumulated since 1914 by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, with the seat he had at the time of his appointment. In this way, the cardinal-bishops are only six in number, to which are added the cardinal patriarchs.

In modern times, cardinals are bishops chosen by the pope among the cardinals of the two other levels, but once a bishop could be directly created cardinal-bishop.

The Patriarchs of Eastern Catholic Churches who are appointed cardinals since 1965 a special status. They are not part of the clergy of Rome and receive no diocese, or diaconal title, but they retain their patriarchal title. However, they are integrated to the order of cardinal bishops, albeit at below them hierarchically.

Today, members of the Roman curia cardinals are generally created in the order of cardinal deacons (called curia cardinals), while holders of bishoprics bishops numbers are created in the order of cardinal- priests (cardinals in residence). The prelates over the age of eighty years made cardinals can not elect the pope, they are generally in the order of cardinal deacons.

The cardinal-deacons may, however, after ten years to freely choose the order of cardinal priests. It may even retain their time-Diakonia, which is elevated pro hac vice to the rank of title, that is to say they retain the same Diakonia to be considered as a parish they occupy.

The protocol order is as follows:

1. Dean of the order of cardinal bishops, who is also dean of the College of Cardinals and formerly dean of seniority among the cardinal-bishops, he is today elected by the cardinals, bishops among them and approved by Pope (Can. 352-2) Cardinal Dean is at the same time, and traditionally, bishop of Ostia , is to him that would episcopal consecration (with the assistance of two other bishops, as prescribed by the Council of Nicaea), a new pope who is not yet bishop. This is the cardinal dean who, in the absence of the Pope convenes and chairs the College of Cardinals.
2. cardinal-bishops in order of their elevation;
3. the Patriarchs of Eastern Catholic Churches in the order of their creation of Cardinals;
4. Cardinal protoprtre who is the dean of the order of seniority of cardinal priests;
5. cardinal-priests in the order of their creation to the rank of cardinal;
6. the cardinal proto-deacon who is the dean of seniority in the order of cardinal deacons (that it is the task of announcing to the world the election of new pope and his kingdom name , from the balcony of the St. Peter's Basilica , the famous words " Habemus papam ... "and likewise it is the pope crowned with the tiara, which, since the abolition of the coronation, raises the pallium on the shoulders of the Pope during his Inauguration Mass);
7. cardinal-deacons in the order of their creation to the rank of cardinal.

Formerly the laity or simple clerics were created cardinals ( Mazarin has never been a bishop nor priest). Simple deacons could be created cardinal-deacons, priests, cardinal priests and bishops cardinal-bishops. Since 1918 , all cardinals must be priests and at least since 1962 all have to be bishops, but exceptions are granted at the discretion of the pope (including the cardinals created after the age of eighty years). So long ago already, the membership of a cardinal no longer corresponds to the degree of the sacrament of the order of which the Cardinals are actually invested.

The recent popes were dated at the time of their election to the papacy:

To date, no cardinal-deacon has not been elected since Pope Leo X in 1513. This does not at each conclave, the name of several cardinal-deacons be cited as papables. The distinction between different orders of cardinals is indeed become purely formal, the election of a cardinal-deacon today would be surprising.

The last non-Cardinal elected Pope was Urban VI in 1377. This election caused the Great Schism of the West : Cardinals claimed to have voted under duress, have canceled their election and elected the antipope Clement VII in its place. Since that time, use the unwritten but very firmly established is that only a cardinal can be elected pope. But the Apostolic Constitution of John Paul II, Universi Dominici Gregis, formally provides a non-cardinal can be elected pope.

Role

In Ordinary Time

The cardinals assembled in consistory assist the Pope in his decisions. Presbyteries may be:

• Common: Where are all the cardinals convened, at least those that are present in Rome. They deal with serious cases, but occur quite commonly, to perform certain acts or solemn. The regular presbytery where certain solemnities are celebrated can be public: there admits prelates, civil society representatives and other guests ;
• Special: Where are all the cardinals convened when the special needs of the Church or the study of particularly serious cases the advice.

In addition, the cardinals have responsibilities in the Roman Curia , the administration of the Church , head of Congregations. The cardinals of the Curia, and the dean and vice dean, must reside in Rome.

During the vacancy of the Apostolic

The functions of the College of Cardinals during the vacancy of the Holy See are defined by the Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis .

Government of the Church

During the period when the Apostolic See is vacant, the government of the Church is entrusted to the College of Cardinals to deal with current business or those that can not be postponed and for the preparation of what is necessary for the election of new Pontiff. Excluded are cases - under the law or practice - are the powers of the Roman Pontiff alone itself or which concern the standards for the election of new pope.

Heads of departments of the Roman Curia, that is to say, the Cardinal Secretary of State, Cardinal Prefects, archbishops presidents, and members of these Congregations, cease their functions. Exception is made for the Camerlengo of Holy Roman Church and the Grand Penitentiary, who continue to do its business, submitting to the College of Cardinals which should have been referred to the Supreme Pontiff.

The Cardinal Camerlengo , assisted by the Apostolic Chamber and with the help of the three cardinal assistants, oversees the administration of goods and temporal rights of the Holy See, having obtained once for less important issues and each time for worst, the vote of the Sacred College.

While the civil power of the Sovereign Pontiff for the government of Vatican City returns to the College of Cardinals, but it can not bear decrees in cases of urgent necessity and only for the duration of the vacancy of the Holy Headquarters. These decrees have value later if the new pope confirms them.

Election of Pope

Since 1059 in 1179, the College of Cardinals met in conclave is the only constituent of the pope. Since Paul VI , only cardinals under 80 can vote. The limit of cardinal electors is also fixed at 120 ( apostolic constitution Romano Pontifice eligendo October ^1, 1975).

The Cardinals should elect the pope by a majority of two thirds. Since 1274 , the election is secret, and the Cardinals must keep secret his circumstances under pain of excommunication. Voting takes place through newsletters which prints Eligo in Summum Pontificem, that is to say "I elect as Supreme Pontiff, Cardinal then registers its candidate and seals his ballot. The election takes place in the Sistine Chapel where the cardinals are locked. Since 1996 , they are housed in the St. Martha residence (Domus Sanctae Marthae), located behind the courtroom. The result of the successive ballots shall be announced publicly by black smoke when the vote is inconclusive, when he is white. In 2005 , the bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang to indicate the election of a new pope.

At the end of the election the Cardinal Camerlengo of Holy Roman Church shall draw up a report, approved by the three Cardinal Assistants, declaring the result of votes taken during each session. This report is submitted to the new pope.

The Cardinals can theoretically choose any priest, aged 35 years and ordered for more than 5 years (canon 332 of the episcopal character of the Pope and canon 378 of the suitability for the episcopate). In fact, since long, the new pope is always born of the Sacred College. When the new pope is elected and accepted office, the cardinal proto-deacon announces the election results from the top of the box the blessings of St. Peter's Basilica.

Creation of Cardinals

The cardinals are "created" (a term derived from Roman law designating the appointment of a judge) by decree of Pope issued to the College of Cardinals gathered in the consistory , as that "great men by their doctrine, morals, piety and prudence in the conduct of business. " They must have at least the priesthood, in practice they must be at least bishops who are not yet bishops must receive episcopal consecration . However, exceptions have been granted papal, allowing priests created cardinals when they had reached the age of 80 not to be consecrated bishops. This was the case for example for French Cardinal Albert Vanhoye.

They say a person newly appointed her as "high to the cardinal," referring to the red clothing of a cardinal.

In fact, the appointment of cardinals is a political statement on the current pontificate and the future election, the cardinals are responsible for electing the pope. In the story, she was also a way to honor the cadets of great families royal or noble and rewarding ones. This fact was referred to as nepotism , Latin Nepos, nephew. The pope chose one of his nephews he created cardinal in order to bring his relatives in the "career" clergy.

Ordinary Public Consistory for the creation of new cardinals

Pope Callistus III creates a cardinal Enea Piccolomini, later Pius II

The consistory for the creation of new cardinals is currently taking place according to the rite introduced during the consistory of 28 June 1991 :

Hello after the liturgy, the pope read the formula of creation and announce names of new cardinals. The first one is for when the Holy Father on behalf of his colleagues. After the Liturgy of the Word, the papal homily, profession of faith and oath.

Each new cardinal then approaches the Pope and kneels before him to receive the card, then his or her title cardinal Diakonia:

• The Pope places the bar on the head of the grantee, saying: "Get this purple as a sign of dignity and office of a cardinal, signifying that you're ready to act with fortitude, as to give your blood for the increase of the Christian faith, for peace and harmony among the People of God, for freedom and the spread of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. "
• Pope gives each new cardinal a church in Rome (or as Diakonia) as a sign of participation in the pastoral mission of the Pope over the Urbs.
• The ritual then provides the delivery of the bubble creation of cardinals, the assignment of title or the diaconate and exchange the kiss of peace with other elected officials and all other members of the College of Cardinals.

The ritual ends with the universal prayer, the Our Father and the final blessing.

During the papal chapel below, the Pope concelebrated with the new cardinals whom he gives the Cardinal's ring "sign of dignity, pastoral care and a closer communion with the See of Peter."

Number

The number of cardinals has varied throughout history. It was initially restricted to 25 churches cardinals of Rome, the 7 dioceses Suburban and the 6 and 7 diaconate diaconate palatal region. In 1586 , its constitution Postquam verus , Pope Sixtus V fixed the number at 70. Finally, in the consistory secret (now called ordinary consistory) in 1973 , Paul VI limited the number of cardinal electors to 120. However in 2003 , under Pope John Paul II , the number of cardinals reached 194 (including 135 voters).

Cardinal in pectore

The pope may also choose not to disclose the name of the new cardinal, this is called a cardinal in pectore ("guarded secret", literally "the secret of his heart"). When his name is published by the pope, the cardinal right of precedence from the date of the reservation in pectore. This formula is generally adopted to honor bishops whose appointment is problematic, for example because of the political situation of which they are nationals or residents.

Badges

The distinctive insignia of the Cardinals is red (called the cardinal), the color of the Roman Senate , recalling the blood shed by Christ. They wear either the red cassock with a strip red and MOZET red, a black cassock and a MOZET with edging and red buttons.

Cardinals wear the ring , which traditionally is sapphire and, even if they have not received episcopal consecration, they use the pectoral cross , the butt and miter.

Galero Cardinals

Up Instruction Ut sive requests of 31 March 1969 , they also wore the red hat of Cardinal , the galero, large flat hat from which hung tassels on each side, which was imposed on them by Consistory. It is the latter that we find in the arms of Cardinals. In practice, this hat was no longer much as twice the day of creation and the Cardinal after his death, he was placed at the foot of the bier and then suspended above the tomb. Today, the Pope -or ablegate when the ceremony was not held in Rome - imposes the bar red.

The Cardinals used three other hats, one black and the usual form of the Roman hat , adorned with a twist and red tassels and gold, for use in street clothes, which can always be increased , a hat the same shape, red velvet like the pope, with a braid and tassels of gold, which was worn with the ratchet and the Mosel to exit the church ceremony, and a huge straw hat covered with fine silk red was used for processions in particular for utility for protection from the sun.

During the time of Advent and Lent , and during the vacancy of the Papal See , they bore as a sign of penitence or mourning, purple clothes, quite similar to those of bishops, they differed only by color the thread and buttons.

Religious, while wearing the cap, the bar and the red hat, kept for the rest of the clothes the color specific to their order, the Dominicans , the Camaldolese the Carthusian white, the Augustinian and Benedictine black, the Capuchins the Brown, the Franciscans of the Observance gray, or pearl ash.

The Patriarchs of Eastern Catholic churches use red but retain the form of clothing unique to their choir rite.

Titulary

The Cardinals have the predicate of eminence , which is reserved exclusively for them and that completes the list of honors due to them because of their status as Princes of the Church.

Complete is the titular Eminentissimus Reverendissimus Dominus ac Privileges

The cardinals who are outside Rome and outside their own diocese, are exempt in respect of their persons within the jurisdiction of the bishop of the diocese where they are.

They prevail everywhere, except in the presence of the pope , and can officiate pontifically in all churches outside of Rome by making use of the cathedra (that is to say, as if they were bishops of the place in question).

Even if they have not received episcopal consecration, the cardinals are traditionally invited to the council ecumenical. The current Code of Canon Law does not mention more explicitly, but predicts that most of the bishops, others not covered with the episcopal dignity, can be called . The code of 1917 gave them a right of deliberative vote .

They may be buried in churches .

Bibliography

• Panvinius De episcopatibus, and tituli diaconiis Cardinalium, Venice, 1567

See also

• Protodeacon (orthodoxy)

Related articles

• Pope
• Bishop / Archbishop
• Historical List of Cardinals
• List of cardinals created in the fourteenth century (Avignon)
• List of cardinals created in the seventeenth century
• List of cardinals created in the eighteenth century
• List of cardinals created in the nineteenth century
• List of cardinals created in the twentieth century
• List of cardinals created in the twenty-first century
• Current membership of the College of Cardinals
• Consistory
• Conclave
  • Conclave 2005
• Papable
• Dean of the College of Cardinals
• Camerlengo
• Cardinal Secretary of State

External Links

• (In) The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church - a very comprehensive site in English on all the cardinals to the present day
• Motu proprio Ingravescentem aetatem, November 21, 1970

References

• img alt = "Portal of Christianity" src = "http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Latin_Cross.svg/18px-Latin_Cross.svg.png" width = "18" height = "24" /> Christianity Portal
• Catholicism portal
• Vatican portal

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