Cardinal
Cardinals are the highest-ranking officials within the Ecclesiarchy, after the Ecclesiarch.[1]
Contents
Overview
Cardinals are members of the Frateris clergy and form a group known as the Holy Synod[1], which elects the Ecclesiarch, the head of the entire Ecclesiarchy, from their own number. Most Cardinals lead a diocese. Although each Cardinal's diocese is outside another's jurisdiction, some rank higher than others, as they are divided into three orders.[1] There are some several thousand Cardinals.[4]
Cardinals Palatine
The five Cardinals Palatine are the highest-ranking Cardinals. They do not have dioceses or other official duties, instead serving as assistants to the Ecclesiarch in the Ecclesiarchal Palace on Terra.[2][3]
Cardinals Terran
The Cardinals Terran have dioceses on Terra.[1] They are ranked below the Cardinals Palatine.[3]
Cardinals Astral
The Cardinals Astral are the lowest-ranking Cardinals and have dioceses consisting of one or more worlds, except Terra.[3][8] The Cardinals Astral of Ophelia VII and nearby systems make up the Synod Ministra and are referred to as Astral Ministra.[1] They rank above Pontifex and furtherly the Preachers[8]
Other Known Titles of Cardinals
Known Cardinals
Sources
- 1: Codex: Sisters of Battle (2nd Edition), pg. 34
- 2: Warhammer 40,000 3rd Edition Rulebook, pg. 102
- 3: Codex Imperialis (Background Book), pg. 38
- 4: Dark Heresy: Blood of Martyrs, pg. 16
- 5: Codex: Adeptus Custodes (8th Edition), pg. 24 - The Aquilan Shield
- 6: Apocalypse (Novel), Chapter 1
- 7: White Dwarf 459, pg. 48 - Flashpoint: Argolish in Flames
- 8: Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned, pg. 168