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{{EcclesiarchyPortal}}
'''Cardinals''' are the highest-ranking officials within the [[Ecclesiarchy]], after the [[Ecclesiarch]].{{Fn|1}} The title also appear among the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]].{{Fn|9}}

==Overview==
[[Image:CalSutai.jpg|thumb|right|220px|Cardinal [[Cal Sutai Arran]]{{Fn|11}}]]
Cardinals are members of the [[Ministorum Priest|Frateris clergy]] and form a group known as the [[Holy Synod]]{{Fn|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.{{Fn|1}} There are some several thousand Cardinals.{{Fn|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]].{{Fn|2}}{{Fn|3}}

===Cardinals Terran===
The '''Cardinals Terran''' have dioceses on [[Terra]].{{Fn|1}} They are ranked below the Cardinals Palatine.{{Fn|3}}

===Cardinals Astral===
The '''Cardinals Astral''' are the lowest-ranking Cardinals and have dioceses consisting of one or more worlds, except Terra.{{Fn|3}}{{Fn|8}} The Cardinals Astral of [[Ophelia VII]] and nearby systems make up the '''Synod Ministra''' and are referred to as '''Astral Ministra'''.{{Fn|1}} They rank above [[Pontifex]] and furtherly the [[Preacher]]s{{Fn|8}}

===Other Known Titles of Cardinals===
*'''Arch-Cardinal'''{{Fn|5}}
*'''Cardinal-Governor'''{{Fn|6}} also known as a '''Cardinal-Exemplar'''{{Fn|7}} 
*'''High Cardnial'''{{Fn|10}}

==Known Cardinals==
{{Main|List of Cardinals}}

==Sources==
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Codex: Sisters of Battle (2nd Edition)]], pg. 34
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 3rd Edition Rulebook]], pg. 102
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Codex Imperialis (Background Book)]], pg. 38
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Dark Heresy: Blood of Martyrs]], pg. 16
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Codex: Adeptus Custodes (8th Edition)]], pg. 24 - ''The Aquilan Shield''
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Apocalypse (Novel)]], Chapter 1
*{{Endn|7}}: [[White Dwarf 459]], pg. 48 - ''Flashpoint: Argolish in Flames''
*{{Endn|8}}: [[Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned]], pg. 168
*{{Endn|9}}: [[Warhammer: Visions 17]], pgs. 156-157 - ''[[Blanchitsu]]'' {{WHVisionsEnd}}
*{{Endn|10}}: [[White Dwarf November 2017]], pg. 133
*{{Endn|11}}: [[Dark Heresy: Ascension]], pg. 221
{{WHVisions}}

[[Category:Ecclesiarchy]]
[[Category:Titles and Ranks]]

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