vicar apostolic
- noun
- /ˈvɪkər əˈpɒstɪk/
- Formal
:
vicario apostólico
- Historically, a vicar apostolic acted as the highest church authority in areas without an established diocese.
Examples
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When the territory grew, the role of vicar apostolic was eventually replaced by a diocesan bishop.
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The vicar apostolic was sent to oversee the new mission.
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The Pope appointed a vicar apostolic to oversee the church's mission in the remote region.
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Many vicars apostolic have served in remote regions.
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vicar apostolic oversaw the establishment of new parishes in the region.
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During the meeting, the vicar apostolic discussed plans for missionary work in the area.
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The responsibilities of a vicar apostolic include providing pastoral care in territories without dioceses.
Synonyms
12
9.1
A senior church leader who has authority over other clergy
How Senior
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'vicar' (a cleric acting on behalf of a higher authority) and 'apostolic' (relating to the pope/papacy) give a clear clue that this is a church official representing papal authority, so a learner who knows both words will grasp the general idea. However, the precise institutional status (a titular bishop overseeing non‑diocesan/mission territory) is technical and not directly derivable from the constituents, so full understanding requires specialized or contextual knowledge.
Etymology
Vicar apostolic joins vicar meaning 'a deputy who stands in for someone' and apostolic meaning 'from the apostles' or linked to the Pope. It names a bishop sent to lead the church in a new or mission area that does not yet have a full 'diocese', so the term means 'a bishop acting as the Pope's representative before a diocese is set up'.