What is a Cardinal and His Role to the Catholic Church?

As Pope Francis named new cardinals, there are questions about what are Cardinals? What are their roles in the Catholic Church? Who chooses them and how?

The Cardinals are commonly known as the most senior clergyman or priest. Historically, they were the local clergy of Rome. Today, they are the Bishops of important dioceses from around the world, the heads of departments of the Vatican. The title of the Cardinal is given personally by the Pope.

According to www.catholiceducation.org the Cardinals are called the “The Prince of the Church”, “the Sacred College” and the “Senate of the Church”.

As Prince, they have a secondary role to the pope. As “Sacred College” their decisions pertaining to the life of the church are rooted in and spring from their faith. Comprising “the senate of the church” they serve as senior Church members who can advise the Pope.

The word “Cardinal” is derived from the Latin word cardo-dinis meaning the hinge of the gate and by extension, support, foundation.  So the Cardinals are the “hinges”, the “support,” and the “foundation” of the Catholic Church.

The elect the pope in case of death or resignation. The period between a Pope’s death or resignation are in the hands of the College of Cardinals.

Archbishop of Cotabato, Orlando Quevedo made a history by becoming the first Cardinal from Mindanao.

“He is an intellectual giant with a very simple lifestyle. He is a blessing for the church and having a Cardinal from Mindanao is a papal tribute to the strength of the Catholic faith in that region of our country.  Cardinal Quevedo proves that the Catholic Faith in Mindanao is now bearing rich fruits,” Villegas said.

All of the Archbishops in the Philippines are truly proud for this biggest achievement of our own Archbishop Orlando Quevado. He is truly a blessing for the Church of Mindanao.

His Excellency

MOST REV. ORLANDO BELTRAN QUEVEDO, OMI, D.D.

Archbishop of Cotabato

Archbishop’s Residence, Cotabato City

Tel. (064) 421-2918   Fax (064) 421-1446

e-mail:  abpquevedo@yahoo.com

PERSONAL

Birth: March 11, 1939

Place of Birth: Laoag, IlocosNorte

Sacerdotal Ordination: June 5, 1964 – Washington, DC, USA

Episcopal Ordination: October 28, 1980 – Kidapawan, Cotabato

EDUCATION

* Grade 1-3

Laoag Shamrock School

* Laoag, IlocosNorte, 1945-1947 Grade 4-6

Marbel Central Elementary School

Marbel, South Cotabato, 1947-1950

* Year 1-4

Notre Dame of Marbel High School

Marbel, South Cotabato, 1950-1954

* Special College

San Jose Seminary

Quezon City, 1954-1956

* Novitiate

St. Peter’s Novitiate

Mission, Texas, 1956-1957

* Philosophy

San Jose Seminary

Quezon City, 1957-1960

* STB, MA Religious Education

Oblate College (Catholic University of America)

Washington, DC, 1960-1964

* Post Graduate Studies in Educational Management

University of Sto. Tomas

Manila

* Theology of Religious Life

St. Louis University

Missouri, 1976-1977

MINISTRY

* 1964- Asst. Parish Priest, Cotabato Cathedral

* 1964-1968- Professor, Notre Dame College/University, Cotabato City

* 1965-1966- Dean of Studies, Arhdiocesan Seminary, Cotabato City

* 1966-1968- Dean of Student Affairs, Notre Dame University, Cotabato City

* 1969-1970- Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Notre Dame University

* 1970-1976- President, Notre Dame University, Cotabato City

* 1973-1975- Chairman, Mindanao Educational Conference Planning Board

* 1973-1976- President, Norte Dame Educational Association

* 1977- Spiritual Director, Oblate House of Theology, Quezon City

* 1977-1979- Parish Priest, Jolo Parish, Sulu

* 1978-1979- Chairman, OMI Provincial Renewal Team

* 1979-1980- Superior, Oblate House of Theology, Quezon City

* 1980-1983- Bishop, Prelature of Kidapawan

* 1983-1986- Bishop, Diocese of Kidapawan

* 1984-1986- Member, CBCP Permanent Committee

* 1984-1989- Member, CBCP Committee on Public Affairs

* 1986-1998- Archbishop of Nueva Segovia

* 1987-1993- Chairman, CBCP-ECSA

* 1988-1993- Member, CBCP Permanent Committee

* 1988-1993- Member, FABC-OHD

* 1989-1991- National Co-Chairman, Bishops’ Businessmen’s Conference

* 1990-1994- Member, Pontifical Council for Justice & Peace

NOTABLE AWARDS, ACHIEVEMENTS, ETC.

* 1970- Received Ford Foundation Travel and Study Grant to Indonesia

* 1972- Invited to participate at OMI General Chapter, Rome

* 1973- One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines, TOYM

* 1973-1977- Set up Colleges of Nursing, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Socio-Economic Research Center at Notre Dame University

* 1980-1986- Defended & promoted justice and peace issues, grassroots empowerment, and BEC’s during Martial Law Years, Diocese of Kidapawan

* 1983- Provided the idea to create the CBCP Public Affairs Committee

* 1983 to present- Principal drafter of several CBCP Pastoral Letters and Statements

* 1987- Initiated the pastoral vision-mission statement of the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia – to build BEC

* 1991- Given Award of Appreciation at PCP-II as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Acts and Decrees

* 1992- Initiated a modified tithing system and abolished the arancel system in the Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia

* 1993- Convoked and presidet over the 1st Nueva Segovia Pastoral Assembly to renew the Church in Nueva Segovia

* 1994- Elected with the highest vote to membership in the General Council of the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, Rome