Auditor (ecclesiastical)
Encyclopedia
In ecclesiastical terminology, an Auditor (from a Latin word meaning "hearer") is a person given authority to hear cases in an ecclesiastical court
.
, an Auditor is the person (male or female) delegated to gather the evidence (drawing up the case) for presentation to the judge, and so could be called an instructing judge. Unless the judge determines otherwise, the auditor decides what evidence is to be collected and the manner of its collection.
The Auditor has been described as "the impartial court official that collects all necessary documents for the case, and may supplement the acts of the case with further questioning of parties and witnesses".
The Auditor may be chosen from the tribunal judges, or from persons, clergy or lay people, approved by the Bishop for this office. The persons chosen by the Bishop should be conspicuous for their good conduct, prudence and learning.
The manner in which the Auditor is to conduct the questioning of witnesses is indicated in canons 1558-1571 of the Code of Canon Law.
Whenever the Ordinary
receives information with at least a semblance of truth about a punishable offence, he is to investigate the circumstances either personally or through some other suitable person, who then has the same powers as an Auditor. If later a judicial process is initiated, that person may not be a judge in the case.
The judges of the Roman Rota are given the title of Auditor or Prelate Auditor.
Until the late twentieth century, the title of Auditor was in use in the diplomatic service of the Holy See
to designate a rank higher than that of First Secretary, but below that of Counsellor.
, the Auditor is a judge who is a member of both the Arches Court
of Canterbury and the Chancery Court
of York.
Ecclesiastical court
An ecclesiastical court is any of certain courts having jurisdiction mainly in spiritual or religious matters. In the Middle Ages in many areas of Europe these courts had much wider powers than before the development of nation states...
.
Roman Catholic Church
In the Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, an Auditor is the person (male or female) delegated to gather the evidence (drawing up the case) for presentation to the judge, and so could be called an instructing judge. Unless the judge determines otherwise, the auditor decides what evidence is to be collected and the manner of its collection.
The Auditor has been described as "the impartial court official that collects all necessary documents for the case, and may supplement the acts of the case with further questioning of parties and witnesses".
The Auditor may be chosen from the tribunal judges, or from persons, clergy or lay people, approved by the Bishop for this office. The persons chosen by the Bishop should be conspicuous for their good conduct, prudence and learning.
The manner in which the Auditor is to conduct the questioning of witnesses is indicated in canons 1558-1571 of the Code of Canon Law.
Whenever the Ordinary
Ordinary
In those hierarchically organised churches of Western Christianity which have an ecclesiastical law system, an ordinary is an officer of the church who by reason of office has ordinary power to execute the church's laws...
receives information with at least a semblance of truth about a punishable offence, he is to investigate the circumstances either personally or through some other suitable person, who then has the same powers as an Auditor. If later a judicial process is initiated, that person may not be a judge in the case.
The judges of the Roman Rota are given the title of Auditor or Prelate Auditor.
Until the late twentieth century, the title of Auditor was in use in the diplomatic service of the Holy See
Nuncio
Nuncio is an ecclesiastical diplomatic title, derived from the ancient Latin word, Nuntius, meaning "envoy." This article addresses this title as well as derived similar titles, all within the structure of the Roman Catholic Church...
to designate a rank higher than that of First Secretary, but below that of Counsellor.
Church of England
In the Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
, the Auditor is a judge who is a member of both the Arches Court
Arches Court
The Arches Court, presided over by the Dean of Arches, is an ecclesiastical court of the Church of England covering the Province of Canterbury. Its equivalent in the Province of York is the Chancery Court.-Provincial Court:...
of Canterbury and the Chancery Court
Chancery Court
The Chancery Court of York is an ecclesiastical court for the Province of York of the Church of England.The presiding officer, the Official Principal and Auditor, has been the same person as the Dean of the Arches since the nineteenth century . The Court comprises the Auditor, two clergy and two...
of York.