What’s particular about being a cardinal?

A cardinal is a high-ranking clergyman within the Roman Catholic Church who advises the Pope and elects the Pope’s successor throughout a conclave

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A Vatican meeting referred to as a consistory on Saturday, December 7, formally makes Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David the tenth cardinal from the Philippines.

What’s particular about being a cardinal?

A cardinal is a high-ranking clergyman within the Roman Catholic Church, appointed by the Pope.

Cardinals play a vital function within the governance of the Church, notably in advising the Pope and electing the Pope’s successor throughout a conclave. 

Solely cardinals beneath the age of 80, nevertheless, can take part in a papal election. Cardinal electors, as they’re referred to as, are additionally candidates for pope. 

By way of outward look, cardinals are distinguished by carrying a purple skullcap and a purple sash, symbolizing their willingness to shed blood for the Catholic religion.

As an example the importance of being appointed cardinal, there are solely 232 cardinals within the practically 1.4-billion-strong Catholic Church as of Friday, December 6. Of the 232 cardinals, solely 120 are cardinal electors.

Subsequent to the papacy, then, the title of cardinal is the very best honor throughout the Church and people who maintain this place are sometimes bishops or archbishops of great dioceses all over the world.

They had been historically referred to as “princes of the Church,” though this description fell out of use beneath Pope Francis, who has pushed for a church of higher simplicity.

A cardinal’s tasks

The function of a cardinal encompasses varied tasks, with a robust emphasis on pastoral care and neighborhood engagement. This dedication to pastoral life signifies that cardinals usually are not solely concerned in administrative duties but in addition actively take part within the religious and social well-being of their communities.

Cardinals are additionally accountable for overseeing the work of varied congregations and councils throughout the Vatican, which handle completely different elements of Church life, comparable to doctrine, liturgy, and social justice. They typically characterize the Church in ecumenical dialogues and interfaith discussions, selling unity and understanding amongst completely different non secular traditions.

The seventh cardinal from the Philippines, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, is at the moment pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization on the Vatican.

Along with their administrative and pastoral roles, cardinals are sometimes seen as leaders throughout the Church, guiding their dioceses and the broader Catholic neighborhood in issues of religion and morality. They’re anticipated to uphold the teachings of the Church and supply steering to the trustworthy, particularly throughout occasions of disaster or ethical uncertainty.

Within the Philippines, the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin and the late Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal are remembered to have performed as ethical information in occasions of disaster, notably throughout the Marcos dictatorship. 

The affect of a cardinal extends past his diocese to the nation and to the worldwide Catholic neighborhood. – Paterno R. Esmaquel II/Rappler.com

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