The Catholic Church

Fourth Sunday of Easter First Reading:  Acts 2: 14a, 36-41 Responsorial Psalm:  Psalms 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Second Reading:  First Peter 2: 20b-25 Alleluia:  John 10: 14 Gospel:  John 10: 1-10  Lectionary: 49 First Reading:  Acts 2:  14a, 36-41 14a  Then Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: 36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know most certainly, that God hath made both Lord and Christ, this same Jesus, whom you have crucified. 37  Now when they had heard these things, they had compunction in their heart, and said to Peter, and to the rest of the apostles: What shall we do, men and brethren? 38  But Peter said to them: Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39  For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call. 40  And with very many other words did he testify a

EVENOR, CSSP. BISHOP OF PORT-LOUIS, MAURITIUS POLI, MARIO AURELIO ARCHBISHOP OF BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA POOLA, ANTHONY ARCHBISHOP OF HYDERABAD, INDIA PORRAS CARDOZO, BALTAZAR ENRIQUE ARCHBISHOP OF MÉRIDA, VENEZUELA POUPARD, PAUL JOSEPH JEAN PRESIDENT EMERITUS PONTIFICAL COUNCIL OF CULTURE PUJATS, JANIS ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS OF RIGA PULJIC, VINKO ARCHBISHOP OF VRHBOSNA

WHAT IS THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS? The College of Cardinals is composed of the men whom the Pope has elevated to the dignity of Cardinal, entrusting them with the duty to be his close advisors and collaborators, and to elect his successor. The decisions of the College are made collectively, and ratified by the Pope, unless of course there is no Pope. During such a Papal Interregnum the Cardinals gather in General Congregation to decide by majority vote on the funeral of the Pope, the beginning of the Conclave to elect a new Pope, as well as any ordinary business of the Holy See which cannot wait, in keeping with papal law, currently the Apostolic Constitution  Universi Dominici Gregis . WHO IS A CARDINAL? The ecclesiastical rank of Cardinal dates from the time of Pope Sylvester I, around 315 AD. It was given to the closest advisors of the Pope. With time it came to be reserved to those whom the Pope had given pastoral responsibility for the 7 suburban dioceses of the Roman Province, as