NEWS ...from and about Synod 2015

On the Duties of Cardinals

Recent comments about the letter given to Pope Francis by 13 members of the College of Cardinals on the first working day of Synod-2015 have, unfortunately, continued a controversy that should have been put to rest several days ago. Some reflections on the functions of cardinals in the Catholic Church, and the exercise of those functions in this case, are thus in order.

  • As the history of the College and the relevant canons of the Code of Canon Law (reprinted below) make clear, the purpose of the College of Cardinals is to elect a new pope when the Office of Peter is vacated and to advise the Bishop of Rome.