vicar-general

[vik-er-jen-er-uhl]

noun

plural

vicars-general 

1. Roman Catholic Church.,  a priest deputized by a bishop to assist him in the administration of a diocese.

2. Church of England.,  an ecclesiastical officer, usually a layperson, who assists a bishop or an archbishop in the discharge of his judicial or administrative duties.

vicar general

noun

1. an official, usually a layman, appointed to assist the bishop of a diocese in discharging his administrative or judicial duties

Other Word Forms

• vicar-generalship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicar-general¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

At the pope’s suggestion, he said, he was stepping aside “for a while,” effective immediately, and would leave the day-to-day handling of church affairs to Father Yves Baumgarten, the vicar-general in Lyon.

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In July, after the investigation, Bishop Livieres was barred from ordaining new priests, an unusual step, and Father Urrutigoity was removed as vicar-general.

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This was intolerable, and the Bishop’s vicar-general came down to examine the delinquents.

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A vicar-general was appointed, July 31, to take charge of the see, and three procurators to collect its revenues.

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Recognizing the new chaplain's remarkable powers, he made him his vicar-general.

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