[Greek] τίτλος (titlos), [Latin] titulus: title, inscription, placard, writing, accusation/crime of accused; Jn.19:19-20
Santa Maria della Vittoria Church Cardinal Sean O’Malley (titular head)
Background Information:
Pagan Culture: This was an inscription on stone. A titulus (inscription) was a notice or marker of private property. This inscription sometimes illustrated the generosity or philanthropy of a patron.
Cardinal’s coat of arms at his titular church
New Testament: This term means inscription. Pilate had an inscription placed on the crucifix above Jesus. The inscription was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.
Scripture:
“Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, ‘Jesus, the Nazorean, the King of the Jews’” Jn.19:20
This was an example of the Roman practice of making public the crime of the accused person.
Earlier Christianity: A titulus also referred to a certain group of churches that was found in the oldest parishes of Rome. The titulus in this case illustrated the name of the Roman patron, pope or Christian martyr. The priests were considered title holders of these churches. Starting in 1059, these priests in Rome established the practice of electing the pope. These priests were also given the title of Cardinal. The College of Cardinals becomes this group of Roman clergy.
Later Christianity: As Christianity expanded and spread throughout the world, the Church elected Cardinals outside of Rome. In continuing the tradition of the Roman clergy, Cardinals are bestowed honorary titles as titular heads (title holders) of Roman churches. Essentially, present day Cardinals become honorary Roman clergy. In additional to their administrative duties, Cardinals also celebrate Mass in their respective titular churches.
Conclusion:
Title, titular, titulus
From this comes the words, title, titular, and titulus. The titular head is a person in an official position of leadership who possesses few actual powers. So today, newly elected Cardinals become titular heads of a Roman church.