Understanding the Distinct Roles of Bishops and Cardinals in the Catholic Church
Bishops and cardinals are two pivotal roles within the Catholic ecclesiastical hierarchy, each with distinct responsibilities but also some areas of overlap. There is a common misconception that a cardinal is simply a bishop who has received a promotion. While being a cardinal is indeed a prestigious position, it does not necessarily imply a higher rank within the ecclesiastical hierarchy.
A bishop is a clergy member primarily responsible for administering the Church at a local level within a defined territory known as a diocese. To become a bishop, an individual receives a sacramental ordination that is similar to the ordination received by a priest, albeit at a higher level. Appointing a bishop is complex, involving local clergy, with the final decision typically resting with the Roman Curia, the body that governs the Catholic Church. Currently, there are approximately 5,000 bishops worldwide.
In contrast, cardinals are appointed directly by the pope to assist him with the administration of the Church on a global scale. Historically, priests and deacons, those occupying lower orders compared to bishops, could also become cardinals, and in rare cases, laypeople were eligible as well. Since 1962, anyone designated as a cardinal is also ordained as a bishop unless they request and obtain a special dispensation from the pope. Therefore, while it is not strictly necessary to be a bishop to become a cardinal, most cardinals assume the title of bishop upon their appointment.
All cardinals are assigned a title linked to one of the numerous churches in Rome. This tradition, which presently bears no significant practical implications for the life of Roman parishes, dates back to when cardinals served as the pope's assistants in Rome’s dioceses. The pope, who is the bishop of the city, holds substantial authority over the entire Church. Consequently, even a cardinal from a distant Asian country will reference a church in Rome in their title.
At present, there are 252 cardinals, of whom 135 are eligible to vote in the papal conclave (the assembly responsible for electing the next pope). The other 117 cardinals, having surpassed the age limit for voting (80 years), can no longer cast their vote. Bishops are generally encouraged to retire by the age of 75; until a few years ago, they were mandated to do so. Upon retirement, they are designated as emeritus bishops. In terms of age, the oldest cardinal, Angelo Acerbi, is 99 years old.
Many cardinals reside primarily in Rome, where they usually hold significant roles within the dicasteries, entities that might be likened to Italian ministries for administering the Church’s practical and spiritual matters, or within other parts of the Roman Curia. Conversely, some cardinals also serve as actual bishops or archbishops of dioceses or archdioceses worldwide—these are referred to as residential cardinals. For example, the archbishop of Tokyo holds the title of cardinal, with his nomenclature linked to the church of San Giovanni Leonardi in the eastern neighborhood of Torre Maura.
In summary, while bishops and cardinals share a commitment to the Catholic Church, their roles and responsibilities are distinct yet critical to the Church's functioning and governance.
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