Category:Vicar

Vic"ar, n. Etym: [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.]

2. (eng. Eccl. Law)

Defn: the incumbent of an appropriated benefice.

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. 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. Etym: [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.