The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-11-18
ANTIQUITY OF THE
SACRED COLLEGE
Had its Beginning in the Earliest
Christian Times-Referred to
in Ancient Records.
Was Natural Outgrowth of the
Need Experienced in Govern
ing the Church.
Routine Duties of CONGREGATIONS
Require Presence of Many
Cardinals in Rome.

There never has been a time in the
history of this country when the Col
lege of Cardinals interested American
Catholics more than now. In a few
weeks three Archbishops from the
United States will be raised to mem
bership in that great institution which
is as old as the Church itself.
The College of Cardinals grew out
ginning, of help by the Sovereign Pom
tiff in the management Of the affairs
of the Church. In his Epistles,
St. Paul makes referen to
the men chosen to assist in the work
spiritual and temporal of keeping to-
gether the first congregation of Chris
tians. The records of the Council OF
Rome held under Pope Symmachus in
the year 499 refer to the presbyters
over which the Pope presided as bish-
op These were the cardinal priests.
Besides these there were eighteen car
dinal deacons whose duties it was to
look after the spiritual and temporal
welfare Of the poor and sick of the
diocese. AS the growth of the church
iro ho 1,1,ra nf
and need for further help in the man
agement of the affairs of the Church
was felt, additional cardinals, called
cardinal bishops, were created. In the
thirteenth century these three orders
were organized into a college which
should have the right of electing the
Pope and assisting him at all public
functions and acting as his counsellors
in all matters pertaining to the uni
versal Church.
In the year 1887 Pope Sixtus V. fixed
the number of cardinals at 10 in imi-
tation of the 70 elders who sat with
Moses over the people Of Israel.
Most of the Cardinals reside at Rome
because they are needed there to coun-
sci and assist the Pope in the govern
ment of the Church. The cardinals
are the supreme council or Senate Of
the Church. The cardinals who reside
in Rome are organized into various
congregations having prescribed duties
Following are some Of the congrega-
tions:
Congregation of the Holy Office
To guard the teaching of faith and
morals. All those questions Of mar
riage difficulties come before 1t. The
Pope is Prefect and Cardinal Rampolla
is Secretary.
The Consistorial Congregation.-1ts
office is to attend to consistories, to
found new dioceses, to elect Bishops,
to regulate seminaries, etc. The Pope
is Prefect of this important commit
tee, too, and Cardinal de Lai is Secre-
tary.
Congregation of the Discipline of the
acraments.-Guards the integrity OF
the Sacraments. Cardinal Ferrata
Prefect; Mgr. Giustini, Secretary.
Congregation of the Council.-De-
cides on all questions touching the
precepts of the Church and all pious
works. Cardinal Gennari, Prefect;
Mgr. Pompili, Secretary.
Congregation of Affairs Of Religious
Decides those matters throughout
the world which relate to affairs OF
Religious whether bound by simple OF
solemn VOWS. Cardinal Wives Tuto
Prefect; Mgr. Sbarretti, Secretary.
Congregation for the Propagation OF
the Faith.-Cardinal Gotti, Prefect;
Mgr. Veccia. Secretary.
Congregation of the Index.-Attends
to the condemnation of immoral OF
ursound books and writings.
Congregation of Sacred Rites
Watches over the diligent observance
Of the ceremonies of the Church, the
canonization of saints and the proper
care of relics. Sacred Music is in its
care, also. Cardinal Martinelli, Pre-
feet, and Bishop Lafontaine, Secretary
Ceremonial Congregation. - Attend.
to all the ceremonies. connected will
Pontifical functions. Cardinal Oreglia
n Prefect.