Parochial Vicar

Saint John Neumann during his priestly ministry before his episcopate

A parochial vicar is a priest appointed to cooperate with a pastor in the pastoral ministry of a parish or group of parishes.

Nature of the office

Commonly called an assistant pastor or curate, he serves under the pastor’s authority and shares pastoral responsibility according to law and the bishop’s decree. He is not the pastor’s employee but a clerical cooperator assigned by ecclesiastical authority.

Canonical place

His obligations and faculties are determined by universal and particular law, the appointment letter, and the pastor’s direction. He ordinarily assists across the whole parish ministry and must maintain common counsel and life with the pastor where possible.