Cardinal title question

[KD8TZC]

Just curious, why do they put the title of Cardinal between the given name and family name (e.g. Timothy Cardinal Dolan)? It just seems strange that it is not Cardinal Timothy Dolan, but I am sure there is a really good reason for this.

PAX

John

 

[HonoraNicola]

It has to do with how titles were written in Latin in the Middle Ages. In those times, the rank of cardinal was equivalent to the rank of prince. And a prince would be referred to formally as, e.g., Carlo, Prince of Modena.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

It has to do with how titles were written in Latin in the Middle Ages. In those times, the rank of cardinal was equivalent to the rank of prince. And a prince would be referred to formally as, e.g., Carlo, Prince of Modena.

Thanks! I always wondered about that.

 

[Jon_S_1]

I am not sure if the above response is accurate, but I find this description more compelling.

Q – Why do Cardinals have “Cardinal” in between the first and last names, as if it were a middle name?

A - Thanks for the question.

The reason is a simple one. Their first name is considered their “Christian” name, given at birth. As a sign of humility, Cardinals generally keep this name first to show their first allegiance is to Christ. So, it is common to see “Timothy Cardinal Dolan”. This is how most Cardinals will refer to themselves – as a sign of humility.

But, others generally refer use the title of Cardinal first – The title of Cardinal is an ecclesiastical title (from the Church). “Cardinal Timothy Dolan”. So, you will see this more often in News stories and such.

Source: aggiecatholicblog.org/2013/03/why-do-cardinals-have-their-title-in-the-middle-of-their-name/

osv.com/TheChurch/Practices/Article/TabId/665/ArtMID/13706/ArticleID/15933/The-title-of-cardinal.aspx

 

[Windmill]

The Latin word *cardo *means “hinge”. Cardinals are the princes of the Church, and oftentimes ecclesial policies hinge on the decisions of the College of Cardinals. They are important prelates in the Church, so that was why they were given this title. (You also see it with the “Cardinal” Virtues which are the virtues other virtues hinge on).

With the title of the Cardinal, it is a play on the word in Latin. The word Cardinal (hinge) visually hinges the two names: christian name and surname.

 

[Chatter163]

Until recent decades, the custom was to include a comma:

Raymond, Cardinal Burke
Malcolm, Cardinal Ranjith.
Joseph, Cardinal Sarah