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cardinal priest

Roman Catholic clergy

Quick Summary

A cardinal priest is a member of the second order of cardinals in the Roman Catholic Church. Historically, these individuals were in charge of a parish church in Rome. The term "cardinal" itself originates from the Latin word cardinalis, meaning "pivot" or "hinge," and was initially used for bishops or priests incorporated into a church for which they were not originally ordained.12

In Rome, by the 8th century, cardinals formed a privileged group within the clergy, participating in church administration and papal liturgy. By the 11th century, they gained the right to elect the pope. The College of Cardinals is structured into three orders: cardinal bishops, cardinal priests, and cardinal deacons. Cardinal priests are successors to the early priests serving Rome's title churches and have historically been more international in composition than the other orders.2

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