What the Heck Is a Cardinal, Anyway?

Earlier this week, Pope Benedict announced a consistory in which he will raise 22 prelates to the Sacred College of Cardinals.

Among the newly named cardinals are two Americans: Timothy Dolan, the current archbishop of New York and Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, the former archbishop of Baltimore and the current Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

“…Pope Benedict…”
You know – the Holy Father; the Successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ, and all that.

“…announced a consistory…”
What is a consistory? Basically, it’s a fancy word for a meeting of the Church’s cardinals. Each time the cardinals meet officially, it’s called a consistory. There is one exception: when the cardinals meet to elect the new pope, that meeting is called conclave.

“…in which he will raise 22 prelates to the Sacred College of Cardinals.”
First of all, what are “prelates?” The term “prelate” is just a fancy word that can be used to describe Church leaders (especially bishops). And now, a really important term: “Sacred College of Cardinals.”

“Sacred College” is a schmoozey synonym for “group,” and it’s simply the official name of the collective group of cardinals of the Church.

“So, what’s a cardinal?” you ask. Well, basically, a cardinal is an official in the Church who has two important responsibilities.

Read the full article is at Southern Fried Catholicism.