Can a cardinal be demoted?

It is highly unusual for a pope to remove an official of Cardinal Burke’s stature and age without assigning him comparable responsibilities elsewhere. By church law, cardinals in the Vatican must offer to resign at 75, but often continue in office for several more years.

Can the Pope demote a bishop?

The pope has no formal checks on his power—“one of the few absolute monarchs” in the world, according to Patrick Hornbeck, a professor of theology at Fordham University. Francis could remove a bishop “from pastoral care,” and previous popes have done just that in times when their bishops have strayed too far.

Can a priest stop being a priest?

According to canon law as laid down in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, when a man takes holy orders, it “confers an indelible spiritual character and cannot be repeated or conferred temporarily.” Therefore, priests technically cannot resign their priesthood.

Is Cardinal Burke a conservative?

A canon lawyer, Burke is often perceived as a voice of traditionalism among prelates of the Catholic Church. He established a reputation as a conservative leader while serving in La Crosse and St. Louis.

Who ordains bishops in the Catholic Church?

the pope
In the Roman Catholic Church, the bishop is selected by the pope and receives confirmation in his office at the hands of an archbishop and two other bishops. In the Anglican and other churches, a bishop is chosen by the dean and chapter of the cathedral of a diocese.

How do you become an archbishop?

Church laws require that a bishop be at least 35 years old, have served as a presbyter for at least five years and be regarded as someone of high piety and integrity. He must be an expert in Catholic theology and law, which often entails a doctoral degree in these fields.

Can married man become Catholic priest?

In the Latin (Western) Catholic Church, since the Second Vatican Council mature married men who intend not to advance to priesthood may be ordained deacons and are referred to as “permanent deacons”, but married men may not be ordained priests or bishops or even as “transitional deacons”, nor may anyone marry after …

Is a cardinal above an archbishop?

Cardinal: Appointed by the pope, 178 cardinals worldwide, including 13 in the U.S., make up the College of Cardinals. As a body, it advises the pope and, on his death, elects a new pope. Archbishop: An archbishop is a bishop of a main or metropolitan diocese, also called an archdiocese.