Apostolic vicariate

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An apostolic vicariate is a form of territorial jurisdiction of the Catholic Church established in missionary regions and countries which do not have a diocese yet. It is therefore essentially provisional, though it may last for a century or more, but the ultimate hope being that the region will generate sufficient numbers of Catholics and sufficient stability for the Church as to warrant erection as a full-fledged diocese.

An apostolic vicariate is led by a vicar apostolic, usually nowadays a titular bishop. While such a territory can be classed as particular church, according to canon 371.1 of the Latin Code of Canon Law a Vicar Apostolic's jurisdiction is a vicarious exercise of the jurisdiction of the Pope — that is to say, the territory comes directly under the pope as "universal bishop," and he exercises this authority through a "vicar" or delegate. This is unlike the jurisdiction of a Diocesan Bishop, whose jurisdiction derives directly from his office.

Like any ecclesiastical territorial jurisdiction, an apostolic vicariate may be administered by the bishop of a neighboring diocese and even by a priest appointed transitionally as an apostolic administrator. As in a full developed diocese, the vicar apostolic may appoint priests as vicars exercising limited jurisdiction over the apostolic vicariate.

An apostolic vicariate is to be distinguished from an apostolic prefecture, a similar type of territory under the leadership of a prefect apostolic (who is a priest) which is not yet organized enough even to be an apostolic vicariate. There is also the simple mission, under a superior. The usual sequence of development is from mission to apostolic prefecture, to apostolic vicariate and finally to post-missionary diocese.

It is also to be distinguished from a territorial abbacy (or "abbey nullius") — an area not yet a diocese but under the direction of the abbot of a monastery.