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A vicar general (previously, archdeacon) is the principal deputy of the bishop or archbishop of a diocese or an archdiocese for the exercise of administrative authority and possesses the title of local ordinary. As vicar of the bishop, the vicar general exercises the bishop's ordinary executive power over the entire diocese and, thus, is the highest official in a diocese or other particular church after the diocesan bishop or his equivalent in canon law.

The title normally occurs only in Western Christian churches, such as the Latin Church of the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. Among the Eastern churches, the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Kerala uses this title and remains an exception. The title for the equivalent officer in the Eastern churches is syncellus and protosyncellus.

The term is used by many religious orders of men in a similar manner, designating the authority in the Order after its Superior General.

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See also: Catholic Church hierarchy § Ordinaries and local ordinaries, Catholic Church hierarchy § Positions within a diocese at diocesan level, and Archdeacon § Catholic Church

In the Roman Catholic Church, a diocesan bishop or archbishop must appoint at least one vicar general for his diocese or archdiocese, but may appoint more[1]—dioceses whose territory is split into different states usually have one each. The vicar general by virtue of office is the bishop's agent in administration, acting as second-in-command for diocesan executive matters. (A priest in a separate office, the judicial vicar, serves a similar role with regard to the exercise of ordinary judicial power of governance in the diocese which is normally exercised in ecclesiastical courts.) Vicars general must be priests, auxiliary bishops, or coadjutor bishops[2]—if a coadjutor bishop exists for a diocese, the diocesan bishop or archbishop is to appoint him as a vicar general.[3] Other auxiliary bishops are usually appointed vicars general or at least episcopal vicars.[3] A vicar general is a local ordinary and, as such, acquires his powers by virtue of office and not by delegation. He is to possess a doctorate or at least a licentiate in canon law (JCL, JCD) or theology (STL, STD) or be truly expert in these fields.

The similarly titled episcopal vicar shares in the bishop's ordinary executive power like the vicar general, except for the fact that the episcopal vicar's authority normally extends over only a particular geographic section of a diocese or over certain specific matters.[4] These might include issues concerning religious institutes or the faithful of a different rite. These too must be priests or auxiliary bishops.[2] The equivalent officer in the Eastern Churches is called the syncellus.

Priests appointed as vicars general or episcopal vicars are freely appointed or removed by the diocesan bishop or archbishop, and are appointed for a fixed duration. They lose their office when the term expires, or when the episcopal see falls vacant (sede vacante).[5] Auxiliary bishops may also be removed from the office of vicar general, but must at least be appointed episcopal vicar. An auxiliary bishop who is an episcopal vicar, or a coadjutor bishop who is vicar general, may only be removed from office for a grave reason.[6] Likewise, while they lose their vicar general or episcopal vicar office title sede vacante, they retain the duties and responsibilities of the office—specifically, they can still be exercised while the see is vacant serving as right-hand to the diocesan or apostolic administrator to establish continuity—until the succeeding bishop is installed or assumes office on a diocese.[7] A coadjutor bishop has the right of succession, so if the see falls vacant he becomes the diocesan bishop or archbishop immediately. These offices should not be confused with the vicar forane or "dean/archpriest", as such vicars do not have ordinary executive power.

The appointment of a vicar general is also a useful tool for a diocesan bishop or archbishop who has additional functions attached to his episcopate. The most notable example is in the diocese of Rome. The Pope is 'ex officio' the diocesan bishop of Rome, but spends most of his time governing the Latin Church and the global Catholic Church. His vicar general therefore functions as the de facto bishop of the diocese.[8] The Vicar General of Rome also serves the same role for the suburbicarian diocese of Ostia, the traditional see of the Dean of the College of Cardinals, ever since it was merged with the diocese of Rome. The Vicar General of Rome, who is normally a cardinal, known as the Cardinal Vicar, is one of the few church officials in Rome to remain in office sede vacante.[8] The current Vicar General of Rome is Cardinal Baldassare Reina.

A similar example is found in the United States. The archbishop of New York functioned also as ordinary of the military services from World War I until the 1980s: in addition to being responsible for the archdiocese of New York, the same archbishop was also responsible for the Military Ordinariate. This had the status of an apostolic vicariate, and functioned as the equivalent of a diocese defined by quality (that is, all Catholic members of the U.S. military and their dependents) rather than by geography. The archbishop had two separate administrations, therefore, and two sets of vicars general to manage each. This arrangement ended with the establishment of the wholly separate Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.

  • Generic coat of arms of a vicar general
    Generic coat of arms of a vicar general

Anglican

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Main article: Court of the Vicar-General of the Province of Canterbury
Main article: Court of the Vicar-General of the Province of York

Vicars-General retain important administrative and judicial functions in the Church of England.

Following the Act of Supremacy of 1534, Henry VIII appointed Thomas Cromwell as his vicar general, a delegation of the powers with which Henry was invested by the Act as a result of becoming supreme head of the Church of England.[9]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Church of England licensed bishop-designates as episcopal vicars until they were permitted to hold consecration services. For example, Gavin Collins was licensed as an episcopal vicar in the Diocese of Oxford from his original consecration date (28 January 2021)[10] until his consecration as Bishop of Dorchester (14 April 2021).[11]

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Vicar general

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A vicar general is a priest appointed by the diocesan bishop in the Catholic Church to serve as the principal deputy in the governance of the diocese, exercising ordinary executive power delegated by the bishop for administrative and pastoral matters. This office, mandated by Canon 475 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law, requires the bishop to appoint at least one vicar general unless circumstances render it unnecessary, with the appointee typically holding the title of local ordinary and acting as the bishop's alter ego in executing diocesan authority. The vicar general assists in supervising the curia, implementing episcopal decisions, and handling routine governance when the bishop is unavailable or delegates specific functions, though always subject to the bishop's reserved powers such as major personnel appointments or doctrinal matters. Historically rooted in medieval ecclesiastical structures where deputies managed vast diocesan territories, the modern vicar general role was formalized to ensure efficient delegation amid growing administrative demands, distinct from episcopal vicars who oversee specific sectors like clergy or laity. Key responsibilities include moderating the diocesan curia, coordinating synods, and exercising judicial oversight in non-reserved cases, thereby enabling the bishop to focus on higher pastoral and sacramental duties. While the position lacks episcopal consecration, it confers significant delegated authority, removable only by the appointing bishop except in cases of incompetence or negligence, underscoring its role in maintaining hierarchical unity and operational continuity within the diocese.

Definition and Canonical Framework

Etymology and Basic Role

The term "vicar general" originates from the Latin vicarius generalis, with vicarius deriving from vicis, meaning "change" or "alternation," to denote a substitute or deputy who assumes the duties of a superior. This ecclesiastical usage entered English around the via Anglo-French and forms, initially applied to deputies in church administration. The qualifier "general" distinguishes the role's comprehensive over an entire , contrasting with more specialized s limited to particular functions or territories. In the , the vicar general functions as the bishop's principal deputy, exercising ordinary executive power to assist in the governance of the whole . Canon 475 §1 of the mandates that the appoint at least one vicar general, who acts in the bishop's name for administrative, judicial, and executive matters unless specifically reserved to the bishop. This position embodies the bishop's , handling delegated responsibilities such as supervising , managing diocesan finances, and implementing initiatives, while lacking the bishop's or legislative powers. The role ensures continuity in diocesan operations, particularly during the bishop's absence or incapacity. The office of vicar general is mandated by Canon 475 §1 of the 1983 Code of , which requires the of each to appoint a vicar general endowed with ordinary executive power to assist in the governance of the entire . This provision ensures structured delegation of administrative authority, reflecting the principle that a cannot effectively manage all diocesan affairs personally, particularly in larger sees. Canon 475 §2 permits the appointment of multiple vicars general if justified by the 's size, population, or pastoral demands, though a single appointment remains the norm. The vicar general's authority is executive in nature, encompassing ordinary power over the diocese subject to the law, but excluding acts that canon law reserves exclusively to the bishop or those requiring a special mandate, as delineated in Canon 479 §1. This includes the ability to exercise faculties habitually granted to the bishop by the Apostolic See and to execute papal rescripts unless otherwise restricted (Canon 479 §3). Vicars must report significant matters to the bishop and refrain from actions contrary to his will (Canon 480), underscoring the auxiliary rather than autonomous character of the role. The bishop holds full discretion in appointing and removing the vicar (Canon 477 §1), with cessation of office occurring upon mandate expiry, resignation, removal, or vacancy of the episcopal see (Canon 481 §1). Qualifications for the vicar general are specified in Canon 478 §1, requiring a candidate to be a at least 30 years old, doctor or licentiate in or (or equivalent expertise), and distinguished by sound , integrity, prudence, and proven administrative experience. Incompatibilities include serving as a in the diocesan if also judicial vicar, acting as a penitentiary, or being related to the by blood or affinity up to the fourth degree (Canon 478 §2). These norms, promulgated by on 25 January 1983 via the Sacrae Disciplinae Leges, codify longstanding ecclesiastical practice while adapting to post-Vatican II emphases on and efficient governance.

Historical Origins and Evolution

Ancient and Medieval Roots

The concept of the vicar general originated in the early Christian practice of delegating episcopal authority to assist bishops in administrative and pastoral duties. In the apostolic period, as recorded in Acts 6:1-6, the apostles appointed seven deacons, including Stephen—later titled the protomartyr and archdeacon—to manage the distribution of alms and resolve communal disputes, freeing the apostles for preaching and prayer. This division of labor established a foundational model for auxiliary clergy handling temporal and disciplinary matters under hierarchical oversight. By the third and fourth centuries, the role evolved into that of the , the senior selected by the to serve as his principal deputy. Church historian describes the archdeacon as the bishop's "right arm, eye, and heart," responsible for overseeing church property, charitable works, ordinations, and minor judicial decisions, particularly as bishops increasingly attended synods or imperial courts. The title's prominence spread from the Eastern churches around the fourth century, with rapid adoption across the Christian world, reflecting the growing complexity of diocesan administration amid expanding congregations and legal entanglements with Roman civil authority. In the medieval era, archdeacons exercised extensive quasi-episcopal powers over territorial divisions known as archdeaconries, including visitations, synodal oversight, and enforcement of ecclesiastical discipline. However, documented instances of archdeacons abusing their autonomy—such as conflicts with bishops over and occasional moral lapses—prompted structural reforms. Starting in the twelfth century, bishops increasingly appointed priests as general delegates, termed vicars general, to centralize administrative control and ensure removability at the bishop's discretion, distinct from the more fixed role of archdeacons. This shift, solidified between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries, transformed the vicar general into the bishop's ordinary deputy for diocesan governance, emphasizing priestly collaboration over deaconal specialization.

Development in the Early Modern Period

The (1545–1563) represented a key turning point in the development of the vicar general's office, as part of broader efforts to reform diocesan administration in response to Protestant critiques and internal abuses. The Council's decrees on reformation, particularly in its Twenty-Fourth Session, directed bishops unable to personally conduct visitations in extensive dioceses to appoint vicars general or visitors to fulfill these responsibilities, thereby institutionalizing the role in ensuring episcopal oversight and enforcement of disciplinary measures. This addressed longstanding issues of absentee bishops and decentralized power, promoting more direct aligned with the Council's mandate for residential bishops and regular synods. Trent also diminished the independent jurisdiction of archdeacons, who had amassed significant temporal and spiritual authority since the early medieval period, reducing them to largely honorary functions and elevating the vicar general as the bishop's principal collaborator in executive matters. By curbing archdiaconal tribunals and appeals, the centralized authority under the ordinary and his deputy, facilitating uniform implementation of reforms such as clerical residency and moral oversight. In the post-Tridentine era of the 17th and 18th centuries, vicars general assumed expanded duties amid the Counter-Reformation's push for doctrinal standardization and institutional renewal, including supervision of newly mandated seminaries, enforcement of the Catechism of the Council of Trent (1566), and coordination of visitations to root out heresy and laxity. As diocesan bureaucracies grew with population increases and missionary expansions, the office adapted to handle routine judicial and administrative tasks, supporting bishops overburdened by papal visitations and state encroachments, though variations persisted due to local customs and Gallican influences in regions like .

Role in the Catholic Church

Appointment Process and Qualifications

In each , the is required to appoint at least one vicar general to assist in the governance of the entire , granting the appointee ordinary executive power equivalent to that of the in administrative functions, subject to specific limitations. This appointment fulfills the bishop's duty to organize the effectively, as outlined in canon 469, ensuring delegated authority for routine governance. The diocesan bishop holds full discretion in appointing and removing the vicar general, without fixed procedural requirements beyond canonical norms, though removal must respect protections for auxiliary bishops under canon 406. Coadjutor and auxiliary bishops are automatically designated as vicars general upon their episcopal appointment, retaining the role until the diocese's see becomes vacant or they are removed for grave cause, thereby integrating hierarchical succession into administrative continuity. Qualifications for the vicar general mandate priesthood, a minimum age of thirty years, and either a doctoral or licentiate degree in canon law or theology, or demonstrated true expertise in these fields combined with sound doctrine, personal integrity, prudence, and proven pastoral experience. The bishop selects candidates capable of effectively supporting diocesan administration, prioritizing those with the requisite moral and intellectual attributes to exercise delegated episcopal authority reliably. Unlike episcopal vicars, who serve renewable five-year terms if not auxiliary bishops, vicars general lack a prescribed term length and serve at the bishop's pleasure, allowing flexibility in alignment with diocesan needs.

Scope of Authority and Responsibilities

The vicar general exercises ordinary executive power over the entire , equivalent to that conferred by law upon the for governance purposes as outlined in Canon 129 of the . This authority enables the vicar general to perform administrative acts essential to diocesan management, including the issuance of executive decrees and oversight of curial operations, thereby assisting the in fulfilling the 's pastoral and administrative responsibilities. The power is proper to the office but operates on a voluntary basis, requiring specific or mandate from the for individual acts unless otherwise stipulated. This executive scope excludes legislative functions, which the performs personally, and judicial acts unless expressly delegated. The vicar general cannot validly execute acts reserved to the by —such as ordinations, consecrations of churches, or issuance of general norms—or by particular mandate, ensuring hierarchical oversight remains intact. Among routine responsibilities, the vicar general coordinates the implementation of the 's directives, supervises clerical assignments within delegated bounds, and reports significant governance actions to the for review. In cases involving multiple vicars general, they exercise authority collegially, with decisions determined by majority vote to maintain unified administration. The office's power automatically ceases upon the bishop's death, resignation, transfer, or deprivation, or at the end of the vicar general's term, without prejudice to acts validly initiated prior to cessation. This framework, codified in Canons 475–481, underscores the vicar general's role as the bishop's principal deputy in executive governance while preserving the bishop's ultimate authority.

Relation to Episcopal Vicars and Other Officials

The vicar general holds ordinary executive power over the entire , delegated by the to assist in , whereas episcopal vicars possess similar ordinary vicarious power but restricted to a designated category of persons or functions, such as the , , or temporal administration. This specialization for episcopal vicars, introduced more prominently after the Second Vatican Council, allows the bishop to delegate targeted oversight without fragmenting general authority, which remains centralized under the vicar general unless the latter's office is vacant, in which case an episcopal vicar may supply the role temporarily. Both positions require priests who are at least 30 years old, with expertise in or , and are appointed and removable at the bishop's discretion, ensuring direct accountability to the diocesan ordinary rather than a hierarchical subordination between the vicar general and episcopal vicars. In relation to other diocesan officials, the vicar general coordinates broadly, distinct from the judicial vicar who exercises ordinary judicial power solely in the diocesan for contentious or penal cases, preventing overlap in administrative and judicial domains. The , responsible for curial archives and acts of , supports both the vicar general and episcopal vicars by authenticating documents but lacks executive authority. Auxiliary bishops, when appointed as vicars general or episcopal vicars, integrate episcopal consecration with these roles, enhancing oversight in larger dioceses, though their vicarious powers remain ordinary and delegated rather than inherent to their episcopal office. This framework, codified in the , balances specialization with unity under the bishop's ultimate .

Vicar General in Other Christian Traditions

Anglican and Episcopal Usage

In the Church of England, the vicar general typically holds the combined office of diocesan and serves as the 's chief judicial deputy, exercising authority over courts and legal matters within the . This role, rooted in canon G 4 of the Church of England Canons, requires the appointee to be a qualified , either lay or ordained, selected by the diocesan with the approval of the to ensure competence in alongside jurisdiction. The 's primary responsibilities include presiding over the , which adjudicates disputes involving church property, faculty applications for alterations to church buildings (governed by the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963 and Care of Churches Measure 2011), and advisory functions on pastoral reorganisation or clergy discipline. Unlike the broader administrative scope in Catholic canon law, the Anglican vicar general's power is predominantly judicial, with ordinary executive authority limited to court proceedings unless delegated otherwise by the . At the provincial level, distinct vicar generals oversee appellate courts: the Dean of the Arches and Auditor serves as Vicar-General of the , handling appeals from southern dioceses in the Court of Arches, while the Vicar-General of the adjudicates northern cases in the Chancery Court of York. These officials, appointed similarly with legal expertise, ensure uniformity in interpreting across the provinces, as outlined in Canons H 3 and G 5, which emphasize their role in maintaining doctrinal and disciplinary standards without usurping episcopal oversight. In other provinces of the , including the in the United States, the term "vicar general" is used infrequently, with analogous functions absorbed by diocesan or canons to the ordinary who provide legal counsel and administrative support. Episcopal Canons (Title I, Canon 4) mandate a chancellor as the bishop's legal advisor, particularly in disciplinary proceedings under Title IV, but lack a direct equivalent to the Church of England's judicial vicar general, reflecting decentralized governance and reliance on provincial constitutions. This variation underscores the Communion's federal structure, where local synods adapt roles to national legal contexts, prioritizing episcopal authority over standardized titles.

Eastern Orthodox and Protestant Variants

In the , the office of vicar, including vicar general, serves as a deputy or representative of the or , typically a or tasked with administrative and oversight. This role is particularly prominent in Orthodox jurisdictions operating outside traditional heartlands, such as the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, where Elpidophoros appointed Protopresbyter Alexander Karloutsos as Vicar General in June 2019 to manage archdiocesan affairs under the archbishop's direction. Similarly, the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese employs a Vicar General to coordinate charitable and administrative functions. These appointments emphasize delegated authority for governance, tribunals, and clergy supervision, aligning with Orthodox canons that prioritize synodal accountability over individual episcopal absolutism, though the exact scope varies by autocephalous church. Regional vicars may further divide duties, as in the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of , where they steward specific geographic areas as extensions of the metropolitan's presence. Protestant denominations, characterized by diverse polities ranging from congregational to presbyterian and limited episcopal structures, do not employ the vicar general as a standard . In non-episcopal traditions like Baptist and Reformed churches, authority resides in local congregations or assemblies of elders, obviating the need for a hierarchical to a ; administrative coordination occurs through elected denominational staff or superintendents without the . Even in episcopal-leaning Protestant groups, such as the , (district presidents) rely on executive assistants or vice-presidents for delegation, but these roles eschew the "vicar general" nomenclature rooted in Catholic traditions rejected during the . Methodist districts feature superintendents as delegates, yet the position lacks the formal vicarial and broad jurisdictional powers. This reflects Protestant emphasis on scriptural simplicity in church order, avoiding titles perceived as accretions of medieval .

Controversies and Modern Challenges

Criticisms of Post-Vatican II Innovations

The introduction of episcopal vicars in the 1983 Code of Canon Law (CIC), implementing the Second Vatican Council's decree Christus Dominus (October 28, 1965), marked a significant post-conciliar innovation by allowing bishops to appoint priests to oversee specific pastoral sectors, such as the laity, consecrated life, or geographic regions (CIC canons 476–481). Traditionalist critics, including voices aligned with the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), argue this fragmentation of diocesan authority dilutes the bishop's singular oversight, fostering bureaucratic silos where heterodox practices could emerge unchecked, unlike the more centralized structure under the 1917 CIC's singular vicar general. The SSPX has characterized the 1983 CIC overall as lacking the "clarity, precision, and integrity" of its predecessor, potentially exacerbating administrative inconsistencies in roles like the vicar general by prioritizing pastoral adaptation over juridical rigor. Further criticisms target the 1983 CIC's imposition of term limits on vicars general and episcopal vicars—typically five years, renewable at the bishop's discretion (CIC canon 486)—as undermining leadership stability and inviting politicized rotations that prioritize alignment with post-conciliar trends over doctrinal fidelity. This shift reflects Vatican II's emphasis on collaborative governance, including mandatory consultation with presbyteral and pastoral councils (CIC canons 495–502), which detractors contend erodes the traditional monarchical episcopacy, replacing decisive clerical authority with deliberative processes prone to progressive influences. In practice, such structures have been faulted for enabling uneven enforcement of reforms, as seen in diocesan handling of liturgical and disciplinary changes, where vicars general acted as intermediaries for national episcopal conferences' directives that sometimes conflicted with local traditional sensibilities. Contemporary controversies highlight ongoing tensions, such as the 2022 appointment of a lay woman as "representative of the vicar general" in the German Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, which skirted CIC canon 479 §1's requirement for presbyters in the role; the Vatican's six-month silence on the matter drew rebuke from orthodox commentators for signaling tolerance of lay encroachments into reserved clerical functions, emblematic of a post-Vatican II "synodal" ethos blurring hierarchical lines. Critics attribute these innovations to Vatican II's broader pivot toward ecclesial "communion" and lay empowerment (Lumen Gentium, November 21, 1964), arguing they inadvertently facilitated governance lapses by subordinating juridical enforcement to subjective pastoral discretion, as evidenced in reports of post-conciliar diocesan curias failing to uniformly uphold pre-council norms. Such views, while contested by proponents of the reforms as adaptive to modern needs, underscore persistent traditionalist concerns over causal links between structural decentralization and perceived declines in doctrinal cohesion.

Involvement in Clergy Abuse Scandals and Accountability Issues

Vicar generals, as bishops' primary administrative deputies, have frequently managed the intake and resolution of sexual abuse allegations, including the review of complaints, priest reassignments, and maintenance of confidential personnel files. In the pre-2002 era, this authority often enabled internal handling that avoided civil authorities, prioritizing institutional protection and allowing accused to continue ministry in unsuspecting parishes, as documented in reports and diocesan investigations across multiple U.S. archdioceses. In the Archdiocese of Boston, Thomas Vose Daily, who served as chancellor and vicar general from 1973 to 1984, played a direct role in addressing early allegations against notorious abuser , documenting complaints as early as 1979 yet facilitating his continued assignments without external reporting or removal. Court-released files from the period show Daily's involvement in pivotal decisions that kept Geoghan active despite repeated accusations, contributing to further victimization. Similarly, in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Rev. Kevin McDonough, vicar general from 1991 to 2008 (and chancellor prior), oversaw abuse complaints as the diocese's designated handler, yet an independent review commissioned by the archdiocese concluded he mishandled multiple cases, failing to implement safeguards or notify authorities about known risks to children. McDonough faced repeated depositions in victim lawsuits, where testimony revealed inadequate follow-through on red flags, such as those involving priests Curtis Wehmeyer and Thomas Adamson, exacerbating harm through delayed action. Accountability for vicars general has remained limited, with few facing criminal prosecution despite their discretionary power; instead, dioceses have absorbed civil liabilities totaling billions, as in settlements exceeding $2 billion in the U.S. by 2020. The U.S. bishops' for the Protection of Children and Young People mandated zero-tolerance policies, independent review boards, and civil reporting, curtailing vicars' unilateral authority in favor of structured protocols, though critics argue enforcement relies on episcopal will and has not retroactively addressed prior . Ongoing litigation and Vatican audits highlight persistent gaps, where loyalty to the often superseded victim-centered reforms.

References

  1. https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib2-cann460-572_en.html
  2. https://www.catholicherald.com/article/columns/what-is-a-vicar-general/
  3. https://www.canonlawsocietyofindia.org/research/the-office-of-vicar-general-and-episcopal-vicar/
  4. https://canonlaw.ninja/?nums=475-481
  5. https://www.etymonline.com/word/vicar
  6. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vicar
  7. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15402a.htm
  8. https://catholicdos.org/vicar-general
  9. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2015/12/27/103659-protomartyr-and-archdeacon-stephen
  10. https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc2.v.vi.iv.html
  11. https://ijrcs.org/wp-content/uploads/IJRCS202001030.pdf
  12. https://catholicus.eu/en/the-archdeacons-forgotten-sentinels-of-the-church-we-need-to-remember-today/
  13. https://www.papalencyclicals.net/councils/trent/twenty-fourth-session.htm
  14. https://www.vatican.va/archive/cod-iuris-canonici/eng/documents/cic_lib2-cann368-430_en.html
  15. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651028_christus-dominus_en.html
  16. https://www.churchofengland.org/about/leadership-and-governance/ecclesiastical-courts
  17. https://ecclesiasticallaw.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/the-chancellor-the-official-principal-and-the-vicar-general/
  18. https://www.titleiv.org/general-education-and-best-practices/chancellors
  19. https://www.goarch.org/-/archbishop-elpidophoros-of-america-appoints-father-alexander-karloutsos-as-vicar-general-of-the-archdiocese
  20. https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/1938
  21. https://www.pittsburgh.goarch.org/regions-vicars
  22. https://studythechurch.com/articles/american-ch/leadership-models
  23. https://sspx.au/sites/default/files/documents/HCP_Easter_25.pdf
  24. https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/rome-silent-on-german-dioceses-appointment-of-lay-vicar-general-representative-2
  25. https://www.mass.gov/doc/the-sexual-abuse-of-children-in-the-roman-catholic-archdiocese-of-boston/download
  26. https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/INVESTIGATING-GRAND-JURY-REPORT-NO.-1_FINAL_May-2023_Redacted.pdf
  27. https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/23/nyregion/in-court-files-how-bishop-handled-a-problem-priest.html
  28. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/former-archdiocese-official-mishandled-clergy-sex-abuse-cases-investigation-finds-n1269643
  29. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/04/16/mcdonough-deposition
  30. https://www.andersonadvocates.com/accused/father-kevin-mcdonough/
  31. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/uk/minnesota-archdiocese-settle-lawsuit-on-abuse-of-minors-idUSKCN0I3004/
  32. https://www.bu.edu/bostonia/fall17/mitchell-garabedian-vs-the-catholic-church/
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