Apostolic vicariate: Encyclopedia - Apostolic vicariate

Apostolic vicariate

An apostolic vicariate is a form of territorial jurisdiction of the Catholic Church established missionary regions and countries which do not have a diocese yet. It is therefore essentially provisional, though it may last for a century or more. It is led by a vicar apostolic, usually nowadays a titular bishop. While such a territory can be classed as particular church, according to canon 371.1 of the Latin Code of Canon Law a Vicar Apostolic's jurisdiction is a vicarious exercise of the jurisdiction of the Pope. This is unlike the jurisdiction of a Diocesan Bishop, whose jurisdiction derives directly from his office. Like any ecclesiastical territorial jurisdiction, an apostolic vicariate may be administered by the bishop of a neighboring diocese and even by a priest appointed transitionally as ad apostolic administrator. As in a full developed diocese, the vicar apostolic may appoint priests as vicars exercising limited jurisdiction over the apostolic vicariate.

Apostolic vicariate - Resources

• List of Current Apostolic Vicariates

Categories: Roman Catholic missionary work | Episcopacy in Catholicism

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Apostolic vicariate", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki