Legal Definitions - vicar

Vicar

A vicar generally refers to an individual who performs the duties or acts as a representative for another person or entity. While the term can be used in a broad sense to describe a substitute or deputy, it is most commonly associated with a specific role within certain religious organizations, particularly in Christian denominations.

• General Substitute Example: Consider a university president who is embarking on a sabbatical for a year. To ensure the smooth operation of the university during their absence, the board of trustees might appoint a senior dean to serve as the president's vicar. This dean would temporarily assume the president's responsibilities, making executive decisions and representing the university at official functions, effectively acting in the president's stead.

  This illustrates the general meaning of a vicar as someone who steps in to perform the functions of another, acting as a temporary substitute or delegate.

• Religious Context Example: In the Church of England, a diocese is a large administrative area overseen by a bishop. Within that diocese, there are numerous local parishes. When a specific parish requires a resident priest to lead its congregation, conduct services, and provide pastoral care, the bishop might appoint a priest to serve as the vicar of that parish. This priest is responsible for the spiritual and administrative well-being of the parish, acting under the overall authority of the bishop.

  Here, the term highlights its common usage in an ecclesiastical setting, where a member of the clergy holds authority and performs duties within a specific community, often under a higher religious authority.