Cardinal in pectore

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As a cardinal in pectore (from Latin in pectore "in the chest; in the heart", thus "in secrecy") - formerly also a cardinal in petto - a pope according to can. 351 § 3 CIC designated cardinal whose name is not disclosed by the Pope. This approach is chosen, for example, if the candidate, in the current political situation in his country, would have to expect repression if his appointment were to become known.

Since the appointment does not become legally binding until it is published, e.g. For example, when the decree of appointment is presented in a consistory , the cardinal in pectore has neither the privileges nor the rights of a cardinal. The cardinal meant by a Pope must at least be listed in an authentic written document - possibly in the spiritual will of the deceased Pope. Then he would have been admitted to the College of Cardinals with immediate effect according to canon law and would take the place in the order of honor (which among other things depends on the time of creation) that he would have received if his appointment had been published immediately.

The church law merely requires that the name of a cardinal must be made public. It is not required that this should be done orally. Once the name is known, the new cardinal has the same rights and duties as the other cardinals.

Examples

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Individual evidence

  1. § 3. If the Pope has elevated someone to cardinal dignity and proclaimed his creation, but has kept the name to himself, he does not initially enter into any duties or rights of the cardinals; but after his name has been made known by the Pope, he enters into his duties and rights, whereby his order of precedence counts from the day of the reservation. (Can 351 § 3.) [1]