vicariate

[ vahy-kair-ee-it, -eyt, vi- ]

noun

1. the office or authority of a vicar.
2. the district presided over by a vicar.

vicariate

/ vaɪ-; vɪˈkɛərɪɪt /

noun

1. Also calledvicarshipˈvɪkəʃɪp the office, rank, or authority of a vicar
2. the district that a vicar holds as his pastoral charge

Word History and Origins

Origin of vicariate¹

1600–10; < Medieval Latin vicāriātus, equivalent to Latin vicāri ( us ) vicar + -ātus -ate ³

Example Sentences

Pope Francis, in a footnote to his “Beloved Amazon” letter, noted that local missionaries tend to go to Europe or the U.S. rather than remain in their own vicariates in the Amazon.

From Seattle Times

His vicariate in the Peruvian Amazon covers an area the size of Portugal, but only has 14 priests to serve a population of approximately 140,000 Catholics.

From Seattle Times

The vicariate is divided into fourteen districts, half of which are in Formosa.

From Project Gutenberg

An apostolic vicariate is established in certain regions where there are too few Catholics for a diocese.

From Reuters

The very extent and limits of the vicariate were, as yet, unknown; and MM.

From Project Gutenberg