Cardinal
The Cardinals form the Curia, the highest governing body of the Holy Roman Aristotelian Church.
The Cardinals:
- Act as a college and must have their decisions validated, even retrospectively, by the Curia.
- May administer all the sacraments of the Roman Aristotelian Church.
- Are the only ones authorised to pronounce excommunication.
- Are the only ones who can validate a separation or annulment of marriage.
- Are the only ones who can validate a defrocking, whether voluntary or not.
Roman Cardinals have the right to veto any decision made by a member of the clergy other than the Pope, while national Cardinals have the right to veto any decision made by a member of the clergy in the geographical area under their pontifical consistory, other than the Pope.
The title of Cardinal does not prohibit the holder from holding any other office in the secular or regular clergy.
He cannot be considered a military officer, although he may lead or command armies.
Cardinals who have been absent for more than one month without giving notice of their absence may be appointed emeritus and replaced. If they make an appearance within one month of their appointment as emeritus, they have priority over any vacant cardinal position, notwithstanding the customs relating to admissions to the Curia.
Cardinals are divided into several categories according to their nature and status. They may be:
Cardinal electors
- Have the right to vote in the Curia.
- Have access to all Roman palaces, assemblies and colleges.
The causal quadriptych:
- The material cause = He must be a bishop in title or hold another office with the rank of bishop at the time of his appointment.
- The efficient cause = He is appointed by the Curia or directly by the Pope.
- The formal cause = He is removed from office by the Camerlengo or Archdeacon of Rome.
- The final cause = He is a member of the Curia with voting rights.
Suffragan cardinals
- Only have the right to speak within the Curia.
- Only have restricted access to palaces, assemblies and Roman colleges.
The causal quadriptych:
- The material cause = He must be a bishop in title or hold another office with the rank of bishop at the time of his appointment.
- The efficient cause = He is appointed by the Curia or directly by the Pope.
- The formal cause = He is enthroned by the Camerlengo or Archdeacon of Rome.
- The final cause = He is a consulting member of the Curia.
Roman cardinals
- Have a universal responsibility.
- Are divided into congregational cardinals (electors) and cardinal emeriti (suffragans).
- The number of congregational cardinals is set at thirteen.
- Each congregational cardinal has a specific function and is chosen by the Curia on the basis of his ability to fulfil that function.
