Territorial Prelate
Encyclopedia
A territorial prelate is, in Catholic
usage, a prelate
whose geographic jurisdiction, called territorial prelature, does not belong to any diocese
and is considered a particular church
.
The territorial prelate is sometimes called a prelate nullius, from the Latin nullius diœceseos, prelate "of no diocese," meaning the territory falls directly under the jurisdiction of the pope
and is not a diocese under a residing bishop
.
The term is also used in a generic sense, and may then equally refer to an apostolic prefecture, and apostolic vicariate
or a territorial abbacy (see there).
jurisdiction in a territory not comprised in any diocese. The origin of such prelates must necessarily be sought in the apostolic privileges, for only he whose authority is superior to that of bishops can grant an exemption from episcopal jurisdiction. Such exemption, therefore, comes only from the pope.
The rights of prelates nullius are quasi-episcopal, and these dignitaries are supposed to have any power that a bishop has, unless it is expressly denied to them by canon law
. If they have not received episcopal consecration, such prelates may not confer holy orders
. If not consecrated episcopally, they have not the power to exercise those functions of consecrating oils
, etc., which are referred to the episcopal order only analogously.
Prelates nullius may take cognizance of matrimonial causes within the same limits as a bishop. They may dispense from the proclamation of matrimonial banns
, grant faculties for hearing confessions and preaching, reserve certain cases to themselves, publish indulgence
s and jubilee
s, exercise full jurisdiction over the enclosure of nun
s, and invite any bishop to confirm in their quasi-diocese. They may, even if priests only, confirm themselves by papal privilege as expressed in can. 883 No. 1 CIC whenever they find it appropriate; however, even as local ordinaries they are in that case only extraordinary ministers of confirmation and should thus prefer to invite bishops if possible.
These prelates may not, however, without special permission of the Holy See
, convoke a synod
or institute synodal examiners. Neither may they confer parochial benefices. They are not allowed to grant indulgences, or absolve from the reserved cases
and secret irregularities whose absolution is restricted to the pope ordinarily, but allowed to bishops by the Council of Trent
; nor promote secular clerics to orders, nor grant dimissorial letters for ordination, nor exercise jurisdiction over regulars as apostolic delegates.
Prelates nullius are, however, bound to residence, to preach the Word of God, to offer Mass
for their people, to make the visit ad limina, and in concurrence with the neighbouring bishop to make a visitation
of their quasi-diocese.
As a rule, territorial (and personal) prelates are consecrated as bishops, though not bishops of their diocese.
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
usage, a prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
whose geographic jurisdiction, called territorial prelature, does not belong to any diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
and is considered a particular church
Particular Church
In Catholic canon law, a Particular Church is an ecclesial community headed by a bishop or someone recognised as the equivalent of a bishop.There are two kinds of particular Churches:# Local particular Churches ...
.
The territorial prelate is sometimes called a prelate nullius, from the Latin nullius diœceseos, prelate "of no diocese," meaning the territory falls directly under the jurisdiction of the pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
and is not a diocese under a residing bishop
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
.
The term is also used in a generic sense, and may then equally refer to an apostolic prefecture, and apostolic vicariate
Apostolic vicariate
An apostolic vicariate is a form of territorial jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church established in missionary regions and countries that do not have a diocese. It is essentially provisional, though it may last for a century or more...
or a territorial abbacy (see there).
Status
A territorial prelate exercises quasi-episcopalBishop
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...
jurisdiction in a territory not comprised in any diocese. The origin of such prelates must necessarily be sought in the apostolic privileges, for only he whose authority is superior to that of bishops can grant an exemption from episcopal jurisdiction. Such exemption, therefore, comes only from the pope.
The rights of prelates nullius are quasi-episcopal, and these dignitaries are supposed to have any power that a bishop has, unless it is expressly denied to them by canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
. If they have not received episcopal consecration, such prelates may not confer holy orders
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
. If not consecrated episcopally, they have not the power to exercise those functions of consecrating oils
Chrism
Chrism , also called "Myrrh" , Holy anointing oil, or "Consecrated Oil", is a consecrated oil used in the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Rite Catholic, Oriental Orthodox, in the Assyrian Church of the East, and in Old-Catholic churches, as well as Anglican churches in the administration...
, etc., which are referred to the episcopal order only analogously.
Prelates nullius may take cognizance of matrimonial causes within the same limits as a bishop. They may dispense from the proclamation of matrimonial banns
Banns of marriage
The banns of marriage, commonly known simply as the "banns" or "bans" are the public announcement in a Christian parish church of an impending marriage between two specified persons...
, grant faculties for hearing confessions and preaching, reserve certain cases to themselves, publish indulgence
Indulgence
In Catholic theology, an indulgence is the full or partial remission of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven. The indulgence is granted by the Catholic Church after the sinner has confessed and received absolution...
s and jubilee
Jubilee (Christian)
The concept of the Jubilee is a special year of remission of sins and universal pardon. In the Biblical Book of Leviticus, a Jubilee year is mentioned to occur every fifty years, in which slaves and prisoners would be freed, debts would be forgiven and the mercies of God would be particularly...
s, exercise full jurisdiction over the enclosure of nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
s, and invite any bishop to confirm in their quasi-diocese. They may, even if priests only, confirm themselves by papal privilege as expressed in can. 883 No. 1 CIC whenever they find it appropriate; however, even as local ordinaries they are in that case only extraordinary ministers of confirmation and should thus prefer to invite bishops if possible.
These prelates may not, however, without special permission of the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
, convoke a synod
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
or institute synodal examiners. Neither may they confer parochial benefices. They are not allowed to grant indulgences, or absolve from the reserved cases
Reserved cases
Reserved cases is a term of Catholic doctrine, used for sins whose absolution is not within the power of every confessor, but is reserved to himself by the superior of the confessor, or only specially granted to some other confessor by that superior....
and secret irregularities whose absolution is restricted to the pope ordinarily, but allowed to bishops by the Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
; nor promote secular clerics to orders, nor grant dimissorial letters for ordination, nor exercise jurisdiction over regulars as apostolic delegates.
Prelates nullius are, however, bound to residence, to preach the Word of God, to offer Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
for their people, to make the visit ad limina, and in concurrence with the neighbouring bishop to make a visitation
Canonical Visitation
A canonical visitation is the act of an ecclesiastical superior who in the discharge of his office visits persons or places with a view of maintaining faith and discipline, and of correcting abuses by the application of proper remedies.-Catholic usage:...
of their quasi-diocese.
As a rule, territorial (and personal) prelates are consecrated as bishops, though not bishops of their diocese.
List of nominal territorial prelatures
In April 2006, there were 46, all of the Roman (i.e. Latin) Rite:In Asia
- in the PhilippinesRoman Catholicism in the PhilippinesThe Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, in full communion with the Pope.With 73.8 million members in 2005, it is the predominant religion, making the Philippines the third largest "Catholic" nation in the world after Brazil and Mexico, as well as one...
: Batanes-BabuyanesPrelature of Batanes-BabuyanesThe Prelature of Batanes is a prelature of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines and was created on November 30, 1950, comprising the civil province of Batanes and the Babuyan Islands group which belongs to the province of Cagayan...
, InfantaTerritorial Prelature of InfantaThe Territorial Prelature of Infanta is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the municipality of Infanta, Quezon, in the Ecclesiastical province of Lipa in the Philippines.-History:...
, Ipil, IsabelaTerritorial Prelature of IsabelaThe Territorial Prelature of Isabela is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Isabela City in the Ecclesiastical province of Zamboanga in the Philippines.-History:...
, MarawiTerritorial Prelature of MarawiThe Territorial Prelature of Marawi is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature under the Ecclesiastical province of Ozamis in the Philippines comprising parishes in the minority Catholic community of Marawi City and four municipalities of Lanao Provinces with significant Catholic population The...
In Europe
- in ItalyItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
: LoretoTerritorial Prelature of LoretoThe Territorial Prelature of Loreto is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature which was elevated to this status on 24 June 1965.The Holy House of Loreto is located in it....
, PompeiTerritorial Prelature of PompeiThe Territorial Prelature of Pompei also called the Territorial Perlature of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Most Holy Rosary is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Pompei in the Ecclesiastical province of Napoli in Italy.... - in FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
: Mission de FranceTerritorial Prelature of Mission de FranceThe Territorial Prelature of Mission de France o Pontigny is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Pontigny in the Ecclesiastical province of Dijon in France.-History:... - in NorwayNorwayNorway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
: TromsøTerritorial Prelature of TromsøThe Territorial Prelature of Tromsø is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Tromsø in Norway.-History:* April 8, 1931: Established as Mission “sui iuris” of Northern Norway from the Apostolic Vicariate of Norway...
, Trondheim
In Latin America
- in ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
: Cafayate, Deán Funes, Humahuaca - in BoliviaBoliviaBolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
: AiquileTerritorial Prelature of AiquileThe Territorial Prelature of Aiquile is a territorial prelature located in the city of Aiquile in the Ecclesiastical province of Cochabamba in Bolivia.-History:...
, CorocoroTerritorial Prelature of CorocoroThe Territorial Prelature of Corocoro is a territorial prelature located in the city of Corocoro in the Ecclesiastical province of La Paz in Bolivia.-History:... - in BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
: BorbaTerritorial Prelature of BorbaThe Territorial Prelature of Borba is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Borba, Amazonas, in the Ecclesiastical province of Manaus in Brazil.-History:...
, CametaTerritorial Prelature of CametáThe Territorial Prelature of Cametá is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Cametá in the Ecclesiastical province of Belém do Pará in Brazil.-History:...
, CoariTerritorial Prelature of CoariThe Territorial Prelature of Coari is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Coari in the Ecclesiastical province of Manaus in Brazil.-History:...
, CristalândiaTerritorial Prelature of CristalândiaThe Territorial Prelature of Cristalândia is a territorial prelature located in the city of Cristalândia in the Ecclesiastical province of Palmas in Brazil.-History:...
, ItacoatiaraTerritorial Prelature of ItacoatiaraThe Territorial Prelature of Itacoatiara is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Itacoatiara, Amazonas, in the Ecclesiastical province of Manaus in Brazil.-History:...
, Itaituba, LábreaTerritorial Prelature of LábreaThe Territorial Prelature of Lábrea is a territorial prelature located in the city of Lábrea in the Ecclesiastical province of Porto Velho in Brazil.-History:* May 1, 1925: Established as Territorial Prelature of Lábrea from the Diocese of Amazonas...
, Marajó, ParanatingaTerritorial Prelature of ParanatingaThe Territorial Prelature of Paranatinga is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Paranatinga, Mato Grosso, in the Ecclesiastical province of Cuiabá in Brazil.-History:...
, São FélixTerritorial Prelature of São FélixThe Territorial Prelature of São Félix is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of São Félix do Araguaia, Mato Grosso, in the Ecclesiastical province of Cuiabá in Brazil.-History:...
, TeféTerritorial Prelature of TeféThe Territorial Prelature of Tefé is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Tefé in the Ecclesiastical province of Manaus in Brazil.-History:* On May 23, 1910, the Apostolic Prefecture of Tefé was founded from the Diocese of Amazonas...
, XinguTerritorial Prelature of XinguThe Territorial Prelature of Xingu is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the area of the Xingu River in the Ecclesiastical province of Belém do Pará in Brazil... - in ChileChileChile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
: IllapelTerritorial Prelature of IllapelThe Territorial Prelature of Illapel is a territorial prelature located in the city of Illapel in the Ecclesiastical province of La Serena in Chile.-History:... - in GuatemalaGuatemalaGuatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
: Santo Cristo de EsquípulasTerritorial Prelature of Santo Cristo de EsquípulasThe Territorial Prelature of Santo Cristo de Esquípulas is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Esquipulas, Chiquimula in Guatemala.-History:... - in MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
: Cancún–Chetumal, El Salto, Huautla, Jesús María, Mixes - in PanamaPanamaPanama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
: Bocas del Toro - in PeruPeruPeru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
: AyaviriTerritorial Prelature of AyaviriThe Territorial Prelature of Ayaviri is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Ayaviri in the Ecclesiastical province of Puno in Peru.-History:...
, CaravelíTerritorial Prelature of CaravelíThe Territorial Prelature of Caravelí is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Caravelí in the Ecclesiastical province of Ayacucho in Peru.-History:...
, ChotaTerritorial Prelature of ChotaThe Territorial Prelature of Chota is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Chota in the Ecclesiastical province of Piura in Peru.-Leadership:* Prelates of Chota...
, ChuquibambaTerritorial Prelature of ChuquibambaThe Territorial Prelature of Chuquibamba is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Chuquibamba in the Ecclesiastical province of Arequipa in Peru.-Leadership:* Prelates of Chuquibamba...
, ChuquibambillaTerritorial Prelature of ChuquibambillaThe Territorial Prelature of Chuquibambilla is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Chuquibambilla in the Ecclesiastical province of Cuzco in Peru.-History:...
, HuamachucoTerritorial Prelature of HuamachucoThe Territorial Prelature of Huamachuco is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Huamachuco in the Ecclesiastical province of Trujillo in Peru.-History:...
, JuliTerritorial Prelature of JuliThe Territorial Prelature of Juli is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Juli in the Ecclesiastical province of Arequipa in Peru.-History:...
, MoyobambaTerritorial Prelature of MoyobambaThe Territorial Prelature of Moyobamba is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Moyobamba in the Ecclesiastical province of Trujillo in Peru.-History:...
, SicuaniTerritorial Prelature of SicuaniThe Territorial Prelature of Sicuani is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Sicuani in the Ecclesiastical province of Cusco in Peru.-History:...
, YauyosTerritorial Prelature of YauyosThe Territorial Prelature of Yauyos is a Roman Catholic territorial prelature located in the city of Yauyos in the Ecclesiastical province of Lima in Peru.-History:...
See also
- List of Roman Catholic dioceses (alphabetical)
- List of Roman Catholic dioceses (structured view)
- List of Roman Catholic archdioceses
- List of Roman Catholic military diocesesMilitary ordinariateA military ordinariate is an ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church, of Latin or Eastern Rite, responsible for the pastoral care of Catholics serving in the armed forces of a nation....
- List of Roman Catholic apostolic administrationsApostolic AdministratorAn apostolic administrator in the Roman Catholic Church is a prelate appointed by the Pope to serve as the ordinary for an apostolic administration...
- List of Roman Catholic apostolic vicariatesApostolic vicariateAn apostolic vicariate is a form of territorial jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church established in missionary regions and countries that do not have a diocese. It is essentially provisional, though it may last for a century or more...
- List of Eastern Catholic exarchates
- List of Roman Catholic apostolic prefecturesApostolic prefectAn apostolic prefect is a priest who heads what is known as an apostolic prefecture, a missionary area where the Catholic Church is not yet sufficiently developed to have it made a diocese....
- List of Roman Catholic missions sui jurisMission sui iurisA mission sui iuris, or in Latin missio sui iuris, also known as an independent mission, is a rare type of Roman Catholic missionary pseudo-diocesan jurisdiction in an area with very few Catholics, often desolate or remote....