HONG KONG (SE): On September 30, Pope Francis will create 21 new cardinals, among them 18 are below 80 and are thus eligible to vote in a future conclave. Currently, there are 121 cardinals with voting rights, and Pope Francis has appointed most of them—81.
Among the new cardinals is 64-year-old Bishop Stephen Chow, SJ, whom he made bishop of Hong Kong in 2021. He will be the eighth Chinese cardinal since Pius XII gave the first red hat to Thomas Cardinal Tien Ken-sin, SVD, in 1946.
This is an opportunity for us to answer some frequently asked questions regarding the cardinalate in the Church.
1. What is a cardinal?
A cardinal is appointed for life by the pope as his principal assistant and adviser in the governance of the universal Church. The 1983 Code of Canon Law refers to them as a specially constituted body [known as the College of Cardinals].
Cardinals below 80 are eligible to vote in a conclave to elect the pope. As of 30 July 2023, there are 222 cardinals. On September 30, with the addition of new cardinals, the total number of cardinals with the right to vote in a conclave will be 137.
2. Historical development
Cardinals are members of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church [holy orders].
The word “cardinal” is derived from the Latin word “cardo”, meaning “pivot” or “hinge”.
The institution of cardinals is derived from the Roman diocesan clergy and provincial synods.
3. The three orders of the College of Cardinals
a. Order of Cardinal Bishops: those who are awarded the title of suburban diocese of Rome by the Pope, and those who are patriarchs of the Eastern Catholic Churches included in the College of Cardinals.
b. Order of Cardinal Priests: those entrusted with the care of the most ancient Churches in Rome, called “titles,” and are by tradition connected with a Roman parish. After 10 full years as a cardinal deacon, a cardinal can opt to become a cardinal priest.
c. Order of Cardinal Deacons: cardinal deacons were anciently entrusted with the administration of the six offices of the Lateran Palace and of the seven departments of Rome, including care for the poor. After Pope Sixtus V, they became 14, two for departments, and were given a “deaconry” of administration, that is, a church in Rome for which they were responsible.
4. Who can be a cardinal?
Candidates for the order of cardinal rank must be at least in the order of presbyterate and must be particularly outstanding in doctrine, morals, and prudence. Those who are not already bishops must receive episcopal consecration.
5. Background of the selected cardinals
• Bishops who pastor some of the more important archdioceses around the world and bishops of dioceses who have played a significant role in the history of missions. However, Pope Francis was particular in awarding the cardinalate to less significant regions in the Catholic world.
• Confreres of religious institutes, especially those of the older and larger institutes.
• Priests or bishops who have made outstanding contributions in academic and ecclesiastical endeavours
