Jesuit priests at the time of their solemn and final profession in the Society of Jesus promise: I will never strive or ambition, not even indirectly, to be chosen or promoted to any prelacy or dignity in or outside the Society; and I will do my best never to consent to my election unless I am forced to do so by obedience to him who can order me under penalty of sin (Constitutions S.J., Part X, N°6 ).
Yet because of various reasons and in different circumstances—for example, need of a bishop in an area where the Church has still to be developed, recognition of a theologian's outstanding contribution to theological reflection, etc.—several Jesuits have been made bishops or even cardinals. In such cases they remain only nominally Jesuit, as they lose active and passive voice within the Order and are no longer under the obedience of the Superior General. In 2013 the first Jesuit Pope was elected, Pope Francis.
The following is a complete list of contemporary living Jesuit cardinals.
| Current Jesuit Cardinals | Date of Birth Current Age |
Elevated to Cardinal | Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ján Chryzostom Cardinal Korec, S. J. Bishop Emeritus of Nitra |
January 22, 1924 89 years,65 days |
June 28, 1991 Pope John Paul II |
Cardinal-Priest |
| Julius Riyadi Cardinal Darmaatmadja, S. J. Archbishop Emeritus of Jakarta |
December 20, 1934 78 years, 99 days |
November 26, 1994 Pope John Paul II |
Cardinal-Priest |
| Roberto Cardinal Tucci, S. J. priest |
April 19, 1921 91 years, 344 days |
February 21, 2001 Pope John Paul II |
Cardinal-Priest |
| Albert Cardinal Vanhoye, S. J. priest |
July 23, 1923 89 years, 249 days |
March 24, 2006 Pope Benedict XVI |
Cardinal-Deacon |
| Karl Josef Cardinal Becker, S. J. priest |
April 18, 1928 84 years, 344 days |
February 18, 2012 Pope Benedict XVI |
Cardinal-Deacon |
| Aged under 80 and therefore eligible as a papal elector. |
Famous quotes containing the word cardinal:
“Time and I against any two.”
—Spanish proverb.
Quoted by Cardinal Mazarin during the minority of Louis XIV.