Cardinal

CARDINAL

BASIC R.C. BELIEF Except for the Pope, the highest rank of Roman Catholic clergy, often called princes of the Church. Their vestments are red. As supposed descendants of the Roman priests, they elect their bishop. The Bishop of Rome is the Pope. Prior to 1918 there had been lay Cardinals.

CHRISTIAN COMMENT There is no scriptural authority for the office of Cardinal. Jesus stated that His Church was not to have rulers in the manner of the Gentile world order (Mark 10:43). This rules out the Roman Catholic hierarchy (rule by priests).