vicar-general

American  

[vik-er-jen-er-uhl] / ˈvɪk ərˈdʒɛn ər əl /

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.

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vicar general British  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• vicar-generalship noun

Etymology

Origin of vicar-general

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.

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg