Vicar-general

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Vicar \Vic"ar\ (v[i^]k"[~e]r), n. [OE. vicar, viker, vicair, F.
     vicaire, fr. L. vicarius. See {Vicarious}.]
     1. One deputed or authorized to perform the functions of
        another; a substitute in office; a deputy. [R.]
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     2. (Eng. Eccl. Law) The incumbent of an appropriated
        benefice.
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     Note: The distinction between a parson [or rector] and vicar
           is this: The parson has, for the most part, the whole
           right to the ecclesiastical dues in his parish; but a
           vicar has generally an appropriator over him, entitled
           to the best part of the profits, to whom he is in fact
           perpetual curate with a standing salary. --Burrill.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     {Apostolic vicar}, or {Vicar apostolic}. (R. C. Ch.)
        (a) A bishop to whom the Roman pontiff delegates a portion
            of his jurisdiction.
        (b) Any ecclesiastic acting under a papal brief,
            commissioned to exercise episcopal authority.
        (c) A titular bishop in a country where there is no
            episcopal see, or where the succession has been
            interrupted.
  
     {Vicar forane}. [Cf. LL. foraneus situated outside of the
        episcopal city, rural. See {Vicar}, and {Foreign}.] (R. C.
        Ch.) A dignitary or parish priest appointed by a bishop to
        exercise a limited jurisdiction in a particular town or
        district of a diocese. --Addis & Arnold.
  
     {Vicar-general}.
        (a) (Ch. of Eng.) The deputy of the Archbishop of
            Canterbury or York, in whose court the bishops of the
            province are confirmed. --Encyc. Brit.
        (b) (R. C. Ch.) An assistant to a bishop in the discharge
            of his official functions.
  
     {Vicar of Jesus Christ} (R. C. Ch.), the pope as representing
        Christ on earth.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  vicar-general
       n : (Roman Catholic Church) an administrative deputy who assists
           a bishop