San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy was pronounced as the first cardinal to oversee the San Diego Diocese. Together with 19 others, McElroy was installed by Pope Francis into the College of Cardinals on Saturday, Aug. 27, at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Southern Cross news website reported that Cardinal McElroy is the first cardinal to oversee the diocese. As further revealed, the Pope had a brief conversation with McElroy before placing the iconic red biretta on his head and placing the signet ring.
According to Cardinal McElroy, the Pope asked him about his health condition after his heart operation last year.
The report posted that nearly 200 individuals who became a part of the cardinal’s life were present. They went to Rome to celebrate the cardinal’s elevation. Cardinal McElroy’s family, friends, and classmates from elementary school were there to support him.
They said they waited for the session to finish to congratulate him and take photos of him personally.
Moreover, the news announced that Cardinal McElroy had his first mass as a cardinal at St. Patrick Catholic American Church on Sunday, Aug. 28.
Then they stated that he attended a special meeting at the Vatican of the College of Cardinals last Monday and Tuesday. The report said that they discussed the formation of the Curia.
Cardinal in Catholic Church
The Catholic Standard website revealed that the title of cardinal in the Catholic Church happened in the early fourth century. They said that Pope Sylvester I gave the title to his closest mentors.
According to the website, these chosen advisors would have pastoral accountability for one of the churches in the Diocese of Rome. Besides, the website said that until this time, cardinals were close mentors of the pope. They said they would automatically be a part of the Diocese of Rome.
As further explained, they call their role as the cardinal’s “titular church," meaning they are not part of the daily operation of the church. They added that the pope chooses the cardinals, so he proclaims and entrusts the title.
College of Cardinals
The same website posted that Pope Benedict XV proclaimed that only priests or bishops could be a part of the College of Cardinals in 1970. According to the Code of Canon Law, a priest must first be appointed as a bishop before becoming a cardinal.
They revealed that a dean leads the College of Cardinals. They noted that there are three ranks for cardinals. The Cardinal Bishops are the senior members overseeing the churches within the Diocese of Rome and nearby parishes.
The website noted that the second rank is the Cardinal Priests, called the “churchmen.” They indicated that generally, they are bishops or archbishops who have a vital role within the Vatican Curia.
Lastly, the website said that the third level is the Cardinal Deacons. They mentioned that they are priests who have been a part of the College of Cardinals after celebrating their 80th birthday. They added that Cardinal Deacons could not vote for a new pope in an assembly.
As further explained, they could not participate in the voting of who would be serving n the Vatican Curia.
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