vicargeneral

Vicargeneral, commonly spelled vicar general in English, is the principal deputy of a diocesan bishop in the Catholic Church. The vicar general is entrusted with the bishop’s ordinary authority to govern the diocese and to oversee its practical administration, in the bishop’s name and under the bishop’s direction. The office is defined by canon law as a means to ensure the diocese functions smoothly in matters of governance, finance, personnel, and pastoral arrangements, particularly in areas where the bishop cannot personally oversee day-to-day affairs.

Appointment and term: The vicar general is typically a priest and is appointed by the diocesan bishop. The appointment may require formal confirmation by higher authorities depending on local law. He serves at the pleasure of the bishop and can be removed or replaced by the bishop; his term ends with the bishop’s death, resignation, transfer, or the installation of a new bishop. If the diocese is vacant (sede vacante), the governance of the diocese is usually handled by other officials such as a diocesan administrator rather than the vicar general.

Relationship to other offices: The vicar general is distinct from an episcopal vicar, who exercises authority over a specific territorial or functional area rather than the entire diocese. The vicar general does not attain the status of a co-bishop, and his acts are subject to the bishop’s oversight and the canonical norms that govern diocesan governance.

Prevalence and variations: The position exists in most dioceses of the Latin Church, and analogs exist in some Eastern Catholic Churches under different titles or structures. While the exact duties can vary by diocese, the core function is to enable effective diocesan leadership by providing the bishop with a capable, authorized substitute for ordinary governance.