prefect apostolic

American  

noun

Roman Catholic Church.

plural

prefects apostolic

1. the administrator, usually below the rank of bishop, in charge of a prefecture apostolic.

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Etymology

Origin of prefect apostolic

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

In June, 1784, he was made prefect apostolic over the Catholic Church in the United States, and the dependence on British jurisdiction was terminated.

From A History of American Christianity by Bacon, Leonard Woolsey

In the same year the Rev. Dr. O'Donnell came out to Newfoundland as its prefect apostolic.

From Newfoundland and the Jingoes An Appeal to England's Honor by Fretwell, John