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(1) In the early ages of theChurch, thepopes committed to someresidentiarybishops theduty of watching overecclesiastical matters in a certain region, as theArchbishop of Arles for Gaul and theArchbishop ofThessalonica forIllyria. Theseprelates were called vicars Apostolic.
(2) Prelates with the title of vicar Apostolic are sometimes commissioned by theHoly See to administerdioceses which are vacant, or whosebishops are prevented from exercising their ordinaryjurisdiction by some impediment. These vicars Apostolic have the powers ofvicars capitular and at times receive also some extraordinary faculties, which much be learnt from theirBrief of appointment.
(3) In regions where the ordinaryhierarchy of theChurch has not yet been established, and which consequently fall under the ordinary and immediatejurisdiction of thepope in a special manner, theHoly See usually governs such missionary regions by means of a delegate who has received episcopalconsecration to sometitular see, and who is designated a vicar Apostolic.
Theseprelates generally have the same powers thatbishops have by common law in their owndioceses, and theCongregation of Propaganda also concedes to them various extraordinary faculties. All these powers, however, are delegated, not ordinary. As they are not diocesanbishops, they have notcathedral or chapter (S.C. Prop., 27 Nov., 1858). Without special concession from theHoly See, they may not concede the usual forty daysindulgence, nor erect a throne in a church, nor wear the capa magna, nor have their names inserted in thecanon of the Mass (Collect. S.C. Prop., 1883 n. 139, etc.). While they may not constitute ordinary vicars-general, they can give special faculties to variouspriests to assist them in administering the vicariate. They must, in addition, name some proper secular orregular cleric who, in case of their unexpected demise, may rule the region as pro-vicar until other provision is made. The pro-vicar has the same faculties as the vicar, except those that flow from episcopalconsecration. He can, however, in case of necessityconsecratechalices,patens, andportable altars, with oilsconsecrated by somebishop. Regulars in a missionary district must communicate their letters patent to the vicar Apostolic, and in thecure of souls are subject to his authority. Vicars apostolic are appointed outside of Consistory by a specialpontifical brief, and later this provision is merely published in Consistory. All matters concerning the promotion of vicars Apostolic are conducted byPropaganda on the lines of the Constitution, "Gravissimum", ofBenedict XIV (18 Jan., 1757) and the later Decrees of theHoly See (Collect. S.C. Prop., n. 38-87). There are about 150 vicariates in existence at present.
TAUTON, The Law of the Church (London, 1906), s.v.; WERNZ, Jus decretalium, II (Rome, 1899); FERRARIS, Bibliotheca canonica, VII (Rome, 1891), s.v.
APA citation.Fanning, W.(1912).Vicar Apostolic. InThe Catholic Encyclopedia.New York: Robert Appleton Company.http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15401b.htm
MLA citation.Fanning, William."Vicar Apostolic."The Catholic Encyclopedia.Vol. 15.New York: Robert Appleton Company,1912.<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15401b.htm>.
Transcription.This article was transcribed for New Advent by Thomas M. Barrett.Dedicated to the preservation of life from conception to natural death.
Ecclesiastical approbation.Nihil Obstat. October 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor.Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
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