Generalvikar

a Generalvikar (latin: vicarius generalis, vicarius deputy means) is in the catholic churches of the deputies of a residing bishop with the line of his Diözese.

history

in the Middle Ages already began bishops Generalvikare, which were entrusted with the administration of the appropriate bischöflichen area. They could exercise also tasks of the bishop, are it holding from services, consecrations of churches or using ministers.

authority and task

of the Generalvikar are a personal representative of the bishop in all administrative matters and act as such with same authority and “tidy deputy force” (potestas ordinaris vicaria). One speaks therefore also of “older ego”, the “different one I” the bishop. Therethe Generalvikar with the bischöflichen force and authority acts, is possible against its decisions no appointment, also not with the bishop. It leads the bischöflichen administrative machinery, the Ordinariat or Generalvikariat.

suitability, appointment and dismissal

a Generalvikar 477 CIC become in accordance with CANby the bishop freely appointed and can be recalled by it freely. The Generalvikar “must be priests be, may not not younger than 30 years old and doctor or Lizentiat in the canonical right or in theology or at least in these disciplines really experienced be”, in addition “provenby Rechtgläubigkeit, honesty, intelligence and practical administrative experience " (CAN 478.1 CIC) and with the bishop at the most in the fifth degree blood-related (CAN 778.2 CIC).

The force of the Generalvikars expires with timing of the agency, with office renouncement or with recall by the bishop. There the Generalvikar the personal deputythe bishop is, loses he when death, renouncement, transfer, joggle or suspending the bishop likewise immediately its office (CAN 481 CIC).

lay Generalvikare

in the Middle Ages designated Vikare also the deputies of lay ruling powers. The Generalvikar was a deputy of the king or emperor in particularin an area, which was not subordinate to direct herzoglichen force. See also Reichsvikar.

See also: Vikar, Bischofsvikar, Gerichtsvikar, bishop, Koadjutor, Patriarchalvikar, Kapitularvikar, Domvikar, Provikar