Senior cleric of the Sacred College
A cardinal is a senior cleric appointed to membership in a sacred college that advises the supreme ecclesiastical authority and participates in the governance and continuity of the Church. The dignity is an ecclesiastical appointment rather than a distinct degree of Holy Orders.
In the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, Cardinals belong to the Sacred College and rank as the senior-most members of the Patriarchal Curia and Pontifical Court. Canon Law provides the ranks of Cardinal Bishop, Cardinal Priest, Cardinal Deacon, Cardinal Sub-Deacon, and Cardinal Cleric. A cleric must hold an order at least as high as the cardinalatial title received. Cardinals are styled with Eminence and rank according to cardinalatial order and precedence.
Role
The Sacred College supports the Roman-Ruthenian Pope in matters of faith, governance, counsel, and ecclesiastical continuity. Its members may also hold curial, judicial, capitular, or pastoral offices.