Priest in charge
Encyclopedia
A priest in charge or priest-in-charge is a priest
in charge of a parish
who does not receive the temporalities of the parish. He or she is not legally responsible for the churches and glebe
, simply holds a licence rather than freehold
and is not appointed by advowson
.
The appointment of priests in charge rather than incumbents
(one who does receive the temporalities) is sometimes done when parish reorganisation is taking place or to give the bishop
greater control over the deployment of clergy
.
Legally, priests in charge are temporary curates
, as they have only spiritual responsibilities. Even though they lead the ministry in their parishes, their legal status is little different from assistant curates. However, the term priest in charge has come to be used because the term curate often refers to an assistant curate, who is not in charge of a parish. The stipend
of a priest in charge is often the equivalent to that of an incumbent, and so they are sometimes referred to as having incumbent status.
Incumbents include vicar
s and rector
s.
In the Church of Ireland
, priests in charge are referred to as bishop's curates.
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in charge of a parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
who does not receive the temporalities of the parish. He or she is not legally responsible for the churches and glebe
Glebe
Glebe Glebe Glebe (also known as Church furlong or parson's closes is an area of land within a manor and parish used to support a parish priest.-Medieval origins:...
, simply holds a licence rather than freehold
Fee simple
In English law, a fee simple is an estate in land, a form of freehold ownership. It is the most common way that real estate is owned in common law countries, and is ordinarily the most complete ownership interest that can be had in real property short of allodial title, which is often reserved...
and is not appointed by advowson
Advowson
Advowson is the right in English law of a patron to present or appoint a nominee to a vacant ecclesiastical benefice or church living, a process known as presentation. In effect this means the right to nominate a person to hold a church office in a parish...
.
The appointment of priests in charge rather than incumbents
Incumbent (ecclesiastical)
In Anglican canon law, the incumbent of a benefice, usually the parish priest, holds the temporalities or assets and income.Depending on the terms of governance of each parish an incumbent might be either:...
(one who does receive the temporalities) is sometimes done when parish reorganisation is taking place or to give the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
greater control over the deployment of clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
.
Legally, priests in charge are temporary curates
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
, as they have only spiritual responsibilities. Even though they lead the ministry in their parishes, their legal status is little different from assistant curates. However, the term priest in charge has come to be used because the term curate often refers to an assistant curate, who is not in charge of a parish. The stipend
Stipend
A stipend is a form of salary, such as for an internship or apprenticeship. It is often distinct from a wage or a salary because it does not necessarily represent payment for work performed, instead it represents a payment that enables somebody to be exempt partly or wholly from waged or salaried...
of a priest in charge is often the equivalent to that of an incumbent, and so they are sometimes referred to as having incumbent status.
Incumbents include vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
s and rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
s.
In the Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
, priests in charge are referred to as bishop's curates.
See also
- How the Church of England is organised