Very Rev. Fr. Walter Agbetoh,
Box
HP 350, Ho, V/R.
Mob.
+233206892351
A Vicar General in the Catholic Church is the principal deputy of a bishop in a diocese.
1. He is the second-in-command of the diocese, and his duties are administrative and pastoral in nature.
2. He is the highest-ranking official in the diocese after the bishop himself.
3. He aids the bishop in the administration of the diocese.
4. He represents the bishop in his absence.
5. He has executive authority but lacks legislative and judicial authority.
According to the Canon Law of the Catholic Church
VICARS GENERAL AND EPISCOPAL VICARS
- A diocesan bishop must appoint a vicar general who is to assist him in the governance of the whole diocese.
- The vicar general must be a priest not less than thirty years old, with a doctorate in canon law or theology, or at least truly expert in these disciplines.
- The vicar general has the executive power over the whole diocese which belongs to the diocesan bishop by law.
- The vicar general must report to the diocesan bishop concerning the more important affairs which are to be handled or have been handled, and he is never to act contrary to the intention and mind of the diocesan bishop.
- The power of a vicar general ceases at the expiration of the time of the mandate, by resignation, by removal made known to him by the diocesan bishop, and at the vacancy of the episcopal see.
