Cardinal in pectore?

[Cam42]

[quote name='Antonius' date='Apr 10 2005, 01:29 PM'] So, in short,

The Pope can name cardinals [i]in pectore[/i] to protect their identity? In effect, the Pope is saying, "I name x, y, and z cardinals, but I also want to name one at a later date to protect his identity. If I die before I publicly name him, then he will never become a cardinal. But, if I secretly tell a few people and then they tell the Pope after me, he can name him a cardinal..."

Do I understand it? It seems confusing. [/quote]
All of that is correct except the last sentence....

[quote]But, if I secretly tell a few people and then they tell the Pope after me, he can name him a cardinal...[/quote]

The Holy Father won't tell anyone. He will leave the names in his will or have them listed in secret archives. At which point upon his death, if in the will the name will be made known and the bishop will most likely be named in the next consistory....or if it is in the secret archives, the man will be revealed many years later and it goes down as a footnote in history.

However, the Holy Father will not reveal it, audibly until such a time as he deems necessary in a conclave or closest time after, when it is safe for the bishop who is [i]in pectore[/i].

Cam

[DemonSlayer]

Cardinal Ignatius Kung was a secret cardinal until he came to America after being released from imprisonment in China.