New cardinals, old traditions at play for Nov. 19 consistory

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring

By Cindy Wooden

VATICAN
CITY (CNS) — In a rather simple prayer service Nov. 19, Pope Francis will
create 17 new cardinals and symbolically bind them to ancient church
traditions.

In
the months following the consistory — as any gathering of cardinals is called
— the new cardinals under the age of 80 will be named members of various
Vatican congregations, councils, dicasteries and offices. For most of the
cardinals, the memberships, while not involving a permanent move to Rome, will
be the most regular exercise of their new ministry as advisers to the pope.

The
most serious responsibility that cardinals have is the solemn obligation to gather
in a conclave to elect a new pope. That right is reserved to cardinals under
the age of 80.

Three
U.S. citizens are among the new cardinals. They are: Archbishop Blase J. Cupich
of Chicago; Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the new Vatican office for
laity, family and life; and Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin, who recently was
transferred from Indianapolis to Newark, New Jersey.

At
the consistory for creating new cardinals, Pope Francis will give each of the
17 a scroll with the “title” to a church or parish in Rome. As the
“titular cardinal” of the church, a cardinal from anywhere in the
world becomes a special member of the clergy of Rome. The practice echoes the
ancient tradition of the Rome clergy electing their bishop, the pope.

They
will arrive at St. Peter’s Basilica already dressed in their new red robes; the
crimson hue is a reminder the cardinals wear that they must be faithful to
Christ, his church and the pope to the point of shedding blood, if necessary.

Together, the new cardinals will solemnly profess their faith by reciting the Creed and
formally swear fidelity and obedience to the pope and his successors. Then, one
by one, they will approach Pope Francis to receive a biretta — a
three-cornered red hat — their cardinal’s ring and the assignment of their titular
church.

The
17 new cardinals come from 11 nations and most will travel with family, friends
and faithful. The Vatican always hosts a reception where people can greet the
new cardinals — both those they know and those they have never met. The
reception used to be held on the lower floors of the Apostolic Palace, but has
now been moved to the Vatican audience hall.

– – –

Copyright © 2016 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.

Original Article