Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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INCARDINATION

The canonical attachment of a cleric to a particular diocese, with correlative rights and duties under the local ordinary. At one time incardination took place when a seminarian for the diocesan priesthood received his first tonsure. Since the Second Vatican Council, with the elimination of minor orders and the subdiaconate, under Pope Paul VI, incardination takes place with the reception of the diaconate.