What is "vicar apostolic"

Vicar \Vic"ar\, n. [OE. vicar, viker, vicair, F. vicaire, fr. L. vicarius. See Vicarious.]

1. One deputed or authorized to perform the functions of another; a substitute in office; a deputy. [R.]

2. (Eng. Eccl. Law) The incumbent of an appropriated benefice. Note: The distinction between a parson [or rector] and vicar is this: The parson has, for the most part, the whole right to the ecclesiastical dues in his parish; but a vicar has generally an appropriator over him, entitled to the best part of the profits, to whom he is in fact perpetual curate with a standing salary. --Burrill. Apostolic vicar, or Vicar apostolic. (R. C. Ch.)

   1. A bishop to whom the Roman pontiff delegates a portion of his jurisdiction.

   2. Any ecclesiastic acting under a papal brief, commissioned to exercise episcopal authority.

   3. A titular bishop in a country where there is no episcopal see, or where the succession has been interrupted. Vicar forane. [Cf. LL. foraneus situated outside of the episcopal city, rural. See Vicar, and Foreign.] (R. C. Ch.) A dignitary or parish priest appointed by a bishop to exercise a limited jurisdiction in a particular town or district of a diocese. --Addis & Arnold. Vicar-general.

      1. (Ch. of Eng.) The deputy of the Archbishop of Canterbury or York, in whose court the bishops of the province are confirmed.
         --Encyc. Brit.

      2. (R. C. Ch.) An assistant to a bishop in the discharge of his official functions.

         Vicar of Jesus Christ (R. C. Ch.), the pope as representing Christ on earth.

n. A Roman Catholic with the title of bishop who administers a region that is not (yet) a diocese, especially in a missionary position

n. a titular Roman Catholic bishop in a non-Catholic area