Definition

Noun: 1. A titular Roman Catholic bishop in a non-Catholic area: A Vicar Apostolic is a bishop who governs a missionary territory (called a vicariate apostolic) that is not yet established as a regular diocese, typically in a region where the Catholic Church is not fully developed or is a minority. He holds the title of bishop but does not head a diocese with its own cathedral chapter; his authority is delegated directly by the Pope.

Usage Examples

• The Vicar Apostolic was responsible for the spiritual care of Catholics across the entire remote region.
• Before the territory became a full diocese, it was overseen by a Vicar Apostolic.
• The Pope appointed a new Vicar Apostolic to lead the mission in that non-Catholic country.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in historical and ecclesiastical contexts to describe the governance of mission territories during the expansion of the Catholic Church.
• A Vicar Apostolic is equivalent in rank and sacramental functions to a diocesan bishop but differs in canonical jurisdiction and the provisional nature of his see.

Variants and Related Words

• Vicariate Apostolic (n): The missionary territory or district governed by a Vicar Apostolic.
• Titular Bishop (n): A bishop assigned to a historical diocese that no longer functions as a territorial jurisdiction, often serving in an auxiliary capacity or, as in this case, governing a missionary area.
• Prefect Apostolic (n): A cleric, often not a bishop, who governs a missionary territory (an apostolic prefecture) of lesser development than a vicariate apostolic.

Synonyms

• Missionary Bishop
• Titular Bishop (in this specific context of governing a mission territory)

Related Idioms/Phrases

• (To serve) in an apostolic capacity: This phrase can describe the missionary, delegated authority characteristic of a Vicar Apostolic's role.

Noun

1. a titular Roman Catholic bishop in a non-Catholic area