Vicar General

Model coat of arms of vicars general. The vicar general is, within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, an auxiliary of the bishop in his diocese, appointed by him and who assists him in governing it. Their functions vary, for it depends on the will of the bishop. In some dioceses, his auxiliary bishop may be vicar general, but in other dioceses may also be all his auxiliary bishops, according to the number of inhabitants who have the same, in turn, the same general vicars may be specialized in various subjects , as Pastoral and Ecclesial Movements. A second type of vicar general is the one of Pastoral, and this task must be assumed by both auxiliary bishops and priests appointed by the diocesan bishop. In the absence or vacancy by death or transfer of Diocese, and even by any incapacity or resignation of the holder, the vicar general supplements the latter's task, even if he is one of his auxiliary bishops or a priest appointed by the diocesan bishop, under the title of apostolic administrator, appointed by the Holy See or diocesan, if it corresponds to the College of Consultants.

Exceptional cases are the vicar general of His Holiness for the diocese of Rome and the vicar general of His Holiness for the Vatican City, who act in the name of the pope, are always cardinals and have all the functions of a diocesan bishop .

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