vicariates

A vicariate is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction or geographic district overseen by a vicar. The word derives from the Latin vicarius, meaning deputy or representative, and is used most prominently in the Catholic Church, though forms of the term appear in other Christian and secular contexts as well.

In the Catholic Church, vicariates come in several forms. The most widely recognized is the apostolic vicariate, a territorial jurisdiction in missionary regions that are not yet organized as a diocese. An apostolic vicariate is governed by a vicar apostolic who acts in the name of the pope; the ordinary is typically a titular bishop or archbishop. This structure allows the Holy See to provide pastoral care and governance in areas where the church is still developing its hierarchy.

There are also vicariates that operate within a diocese, serving as subdivisions to assist the diocesan bishop in governing a large or diverse territory. In these cases, a vicar (often called a vicar general or a vicar forane in specific contexts) exercises delegated authority on behalf of the bishop. A vicar forane, also known as a dean, may oversee several parishes within a deanery, sometimes described informally as a vicariate forane.

Historically, vicariates facilitated church governance in expanding or unsettled regions and in administrative reorganizations. Beyond the Catholic Church, the term has been used in various secular or national contexts to denote delegated authority or deputy governance.