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Aterritorial prelate is, inCatholic usage, aprelate whose geographic jurisdiction, calledterritorial prelature, generally does not belong to anydiocese and is considered aparticular church.
The term is also used in a generic sense, and may then equally refer to anapostolic prefecture, anapostolic vicariate, apermanent apostolic administration (which are pre-diocesan, often missionary, or temporary), or aterritorial abbacy (see there).
A territorial prelate exercises quasi-episcopal jurisdiction in a territory separate from the territory of a diocese.[1] In many cases the prelature is exempt from diocesan oversight and instead subject to the jurisdiction of theHoly See.
As a rule, territorial (and personal) prelates are consecrated as bishops, though not bishopsof their diocese, as expressed by the title Bishop-prelate. Most were/are missionaries, outside Europe (mainly Latin America and a few Asian countries) or in countries with a Protestant majority (notably Lutheran Norway).
The territorial prelate is sometimes called aprelatenullius, from the Latinnullius diœceseos, prelate "of no diocese," meaning the territory falls directly under the 'exempt' jurisdiction of theHoly See orPope (Bishop of Rome) and is not a diocese under a residingbishop.
The rights of prelatesnullius are quasi-episcopal, and these dignitaries are supposed to have any power that a bishop has, unless it is expressly denied to them bycanon law. If they have not receivedepiscopal consecration, such prelates may not conferholy orders. If not consecrated episcopally, they have not the power to exercise those functions ofconsecrating oils, etc., which are referred to the episcopal order only analogously.[2]
Prelates nullius may take cognizance of matrimonial causes within the same limits as a bishop. They may dispense from the proclamation ofmatrimonial banns, grant faculties for hearingconfessions and preaching, reserve certain cases to themselves, publishindulgences andjubilees, exercise full jurisdiction over the enclosure ofnuns, and invite any bishop toconfirm in their quasi-diocese.[2] They may, even if priests only, confirm themselves by papal privilege as expressed in canon 883 No. 1 CIC whenever they find it appropriate; however, even as local ordinaries they are in that case only extraordinary ministers of confirmation and should thus prefer to invite bishops if possible.
These prelates may not, however, without special permission of theHoly See, convoke asynod or institute synodal examiners. Neither may they confer parochial benefices. They are not allowed to grant indulgences, or absolve from thereserved cases and secret irregularities whose absolution is restricted to the pope ordinarily, but allowed to bishops by theCouncil of Trent, nor promote secular clerics to orders, nor grant dimissory letters for ordination, nor exercise jurisdiction over regulars asapostolic delegates.[2]
Prelates nullius are, however, bound to residence, to preach the Word of God, to offerMass for their people, to make thevisit ad limina to theRoman Curia, and in concurrence with the neighbouring bishop to perform avisitation of their quasi-diocese.[2]
As of November 2022[update], there were 39, allLatin Church:
(incomplete?)
(probably quite incomplete; all Latin)
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Praelatus Nullius".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
