By Jim Trageser
Light of the East
For the first time, the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego will be led by a cardinal.
On May 29, Pope Francis named Bishop Robert McElroy to the College of Cardinals. McElroy, 68, will be eligible to vote for the next Roman Catholic pope should Francis resign or pass away before McElroy turns 80.
While the honorary title of cardinal predates the Great Schism, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, it was unique to the Roman Church. It is an office that designates certain responsibilities, much as metropolitan, and not an additional level of ordination.
Light of the East spoke with Monsignor Dennis Mikulanis, pastor of San Rafael Roman Catholic parish in Rancho Bernardo, as well as the vicar for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs for the diocese.
What is a cardinal?
The principal purpose of the College of Cardinals is to elect a new pope when there is sede vacante, i.e., Peter’s seat is empty due to death (or resignation) of the incumbent.
The term “cardinal” comes from the Latin word cardo, which means “hinge.” Basically, they are the “hinges” on which the authority of the Church hangs. The most important, and really only, job required of a cardinal is to elect a new pope on the death or resignation of the incumbent. Cardinals wear red as a sign of the blood they are willing shed in defense of Christ and the Church.
Cardinals are personally selected by the pope. They do not need to be men of great rank or authority, but simply men of good character on whom the pope depends for advice and the mission of the Church. A man doesn’t even need to be a bishop to be named a cardinal (eg. Fr. Avery Dulles and now Fr. Ghirlanda), but would be ordained a bishop shortly after being named, though without any episcopal authority. Most important dioceses in the world have a cardinal as archbishop but, under this pope, that has changed. San Diego, for example, just had its bishop named a cardinal rather than the larger Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which has historically been a cardinalatial See. Other archdioceses in this country which no longer have cardinals as bishops are Baltimore, Detroit, Philadelphia, St. Louis — while other places have been named (Houston, Newark, San Diego). In effect, the pope chooses whom he wants as he considers them to be key allies in the administration and direction of the Church.
Cardinals also head the large dicasteries (offices) of the Roman Curia, and all cardinals are understood to be key advisers to the pope, the Bishop of Rome. Each cardinal is also given a “titular” parish in Rome as they are considered to be “Roman” clergy.
The secular media has portrayed Bishop McElroy’s elevation as a rebuke against “conservative” U.S. bishops on the part of the pope. How should the faithful take such portrayals when we encounter them?
The secular media will make hash out of anything. The cardinals chosen by Pope Francis are all pastoral men with whom he hopes to promote the mission of Jesus Christ in the world. Cardinal-elect McElroy is theologically sound and deeply involved in promoting the God-given dignity of every human being from the moment of conception to the time of natural death. It is a shame that some “good” Catholics politicize and add to the divisions in the Church.
How are relations among the American Catholic bishops, as opposed to how they are portrayed in the secular media?
The Catholic bishops of the United States work together to promote the gospel in this country and around the world. They are all different individuals and they bring their gifts — and their differences — with them. However, that does not hinder their working together for the good of the Church.
How are relations between the Roman Catholic bishops and their brother bishops, both in the Eastern Catholic Churches and the other canonical Churches?
I would say they are respectful of each other — in some ways, probably more so than among
parishes and priests, some of whom seem to be stuck in their own ecclesial mindset.
Will Cardinal-elect McElroy’s new office require additional time away from the diocese?
Being a cardinal will undoubtedly bring extra duties and calls and visits to Rome for the work the pope wants done. However, Cardinal-elect McElroy is solidly committed to his obligations here in San Diego. When he must be away, he has auxiliary bishops to assist him here.