Christian princes

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lucybeebee

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A lot of my favorite pre-Vatican II prayers offer prayers for the benefit of “Christian princes.” Who were these individuals? Do any “Christian princes” still exist today?
 
Right off the top of my head, I believe the prayers refer to Cardinals who are called “princes of the Church”.
 
“Christian princes” refers to crowned heads of state which are few and far between these days. Most of them are adherents of various separated sects of Christianity: Elizabeth II of the UK, Beatrix of the Netherlands, the King of Sweden. There are “Christian princes” who have abdicated their thrones but are still rightful holders of the title, such as the King of Hungary. The only one left that may be Catholic (I haven’t looked it up) is Prince Franz Josef of Leichtenstein.
Go and look up the various crowned heads of state of countries around the world. It should be a lot of fun for students of history.

Matthew
 
I think Spain’s monarchy is still Catholic there may also be members of the Italian monarchy who are still around. I think Monaco is also a Catholic principality.
 
drafdog said:
“Christian princes” refers to crowned heads of state which are few and far between these days. Most of them are adherents of various separated sects of Christianity: Elizabeth II of the UK, Beatrix of the Netherlands, the King of Sweden. There are “Christian princes” who have abdicated their thrones but are still rightful holders of the title, such as the King of Hungary. The only one left that may be Catholic (I haven’t looked it up) is Prince Franz Josef of Leichtenstein.
Go and look up the various crowned heads of state of countries around the world. It should be a lot of fun for students of history.

Matthew
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Given the dearth of Christian princes, should another phrase be substituted in the prayers?
 
lucybeebee said:
Given the dearth of Christian princes, should another phrase be substituted in the prayers?
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The phrase may be understood to mean any person in a position of civil authority, regardless of what political system that person may serve under. It is certanly appropriate for us to pray for all such persons in positions of civil leadership, especially those to whom we owe civil obedience or respect.
 
snhs said:
there may also be members of the Italian monarchy who are still around.
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Yep, they’re around. Italians abolished the monarchy by referendum in 1946. And until 2002, male heirs of the House of Savoy were actually forbidden from entering Italian territory. It was kind of a bizarre situation. They couldn’t attend their relatives’ weddings and funerals in Italy because grandpa collaborated with Mussolini.
 
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