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Vicar of Christ

From Catholicism Wiki

Vicar of Christ (Latin: Vicarius Christi) is a term used in different ways and with different theological connotations throughout history. The original notion of a vicar is as an "earthly representative of Christ", but it is also used in the sense of "person acting as parish priest in place of a real parson."[1] The title is now used in Catholicism to refer to the bishops,[2] and more specifically, was historically used to refer to the Bishop of Rome (the pope).

History and different uses

During the history of Christianity, the title of Vicar of Christ was used in different ways, with implications for theological, pastoral or different time.

Use for the bishops

An early appearance of a similar concept of the Vicar of Christ is mentioned in the Epistle to the Magnesians of St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch (who was possibly a disciple of both John the Apostle and Saint Peter[3]), written between the years AD 88 and 107, which states: "your bishop presides in the place of God".[4] Although Ignatius did not explicitly use the term Vicar of Christ, he sets out the concept, with regard to local bishops. More recently, the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen gentium noted that bishops are "vicars and ambassadors of Christ",[2] and the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that each bishop governs his diocese "[a]s Christ's vicar".[5]

The first recorded use of the term "Vicar of Christ" is found in the epistles of Tertullian in the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries, referring to the Holy Spirit,[6] that is, as Christ is not physically performing miracles in the Church, the Holy Spirit acts as his Vicar on his behalf, performing miracles and protecting the Church from error.[7] Other roles Tertullian attributed to the Holy Spirit as Vicar were: the direction of discipline, the revelation of the Scriptures, the reformation of the intellect, and the advancement toward the "better things".[8]

Use for the popes

The third use of the term Vicar of Christ appears in the 5th century, in a synod of bishops to refer to Pope Gelasius I. The theological connotations of the title got a pastoral sense, evoking the words of Christ to the Apostle Peter, regarded by the first Catholic Pope in John 21:16-17, "Feed my lambs [...] Feed my sheep". Catholics interpret this as Christ making Peter his vicar and pastor with the responsibility to feed his flock (i.e. the Church) in his own place.[9]

However, the use of the title to refer to the popes in the early Church was unstable, and several variants of the use of Vicar were used for the Pope, as "Vicar of Peter", indicating that they were the successors of St. Peter, "Vicar of the Prince of the Apostles" or "Vicar of the Apostolic See",[9] among other variants. This title is used by the Roman Missal in their prayers for a dead pope,[10] and the oath of allegiance to St. Boniface to Pope Gregory II.[11] Since 1200, Popes have consistently used this title.[12] Insisting that he—and he alone—had the right to remove bishops from office, Pope Innocent III appealed to the title of Vicar of Christ.[9] Occasionally, popes like Nicholas III used "Vicar of God" as an equivalent title.[9] The 2012 edition of the Annuario Pontificio gives "Vicar of Jesus Christ" as the second official title of the Pope (the first being "Bishop of Rome").[13] The edition of the same book published on March 25, 2020, included the title of "Vicar of Christ" to the section "Historical titles" section, to indicate its bond with the history of the papacy.[14]

Use in caesaropapism

Another use of the title, with a different meaning, appeared in the Eastern Churches between the fifth and sixth centuries. The term was used to refer to the Byzantine emperor,[12] showing the apex of caesaropapism, though decisions on doctrine, liturgy and spirituality were left to the bishops.[15]

See also

From the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia

Vicar of Christ — (Lat. Vicarius Christi).

A title of the pope implying his supreme and universal primacy, both of honour and of jurisdiction, over the Church of Christ. It is founded on the words of the Divine Shepherd to St. Peter: "Feed my lambs.... Feed my sheep" (John 21:16-17), by which He constituted the Prince of the Apostles guardian of His entire flock in His own place, thus making him His Vicar and fulfilling the promise made in Matthew 16:18-19.

In the course of the ages other vicarial designations have been used for the pope, as Vicar of St. Peter and even Vicar of the Apostolic See (Pope Gelasius, I, Ep. vi), but the title Vicar of Christ is more expressive of his supreme headship of the Church on earth, which he bears in virtue of the commission of Christ and with vicarial power derived from Him. Thus, Innocent III appeals for his power to remove bishops to the fact that he is Vicar of Christ (cap. "Inter corporalia", 2, "De trans. ep."). He also declares that Christ has given such power only to His Vicar Peter and his successors (cap. "Quanto", 3, ibid.), and states that it is the Roman Pontiff who is "the successor of Peter and the Vicar of Jesus Christ" (cap. "Licet", 4, ibid.). The title Vicar of God used for the pope by Nicholas III (c. "Fundamenta ejus", 17, "De elect.", in 6) is employed as an equivalent for Vicar of Christ.

References

  1. Back to citation "vicar | Etymology, origin and meaning of vicar by etymonline". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  2. Back to citation occurrence 2.0 Back to citation occurrence 2.1 "Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen gentium § 27". Holy See. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014. Retrieved 2010-01-27.
  3. Back to citation Ray, Stephen (1999). Upon this Rock. San Francisco, California: Ignatius Press. p.119.
  4. Back to citation "The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians (2, 6:1)". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2010-01-27 – via New Advent.
  5. Back to citation "Catechism of the Catholic Church ¶ 1560". Holy See. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  6. Back to citation "Prescription against Heretics (Chapter 28)". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2010-01-27 – via New Advent.
  7. Back to citation "On the Veiling of Virgins (Chapter 1)". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2010-01-27 – via New Advent.
  8. Back to citation "Church Fathers: On the Veiling of Virgins (Tertullian)". New Advent. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
  9. Back to citation occurrence 9.0 Back to citation occurrence 9.1 Back to citation occurrence 9.2 Back to citation occurrence 9.3 "Vicar of Christ". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2010-01-27 – via New Advent.
  10. Back to citation "Liturgical Notes and Resource Materials for Use upon the Death of a Pope" (PDF). United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Retrieved 2010-01-27.
  11. Back to citation "Promessa de Fidelidade de São Bonifácio ao Papa Gregório II, por ocasião de sua sagração episcopal". Company of Mary. Retrieved 2010-01-28.
  12. Back to citation occurrence 12.0 Back to citation occurrence 12.1 Beal, John P; Coriden, James A; Green, Thomas J. (2000). New commentary on the Code of Canon Law. Paulist Press. ISBN 9780809140664. Retrieved 2010-01-27.
  13. Back to citation Annuario Pontificio, 2012. Vatican Publishing House. ISBN 978-88-209-8722-0. p. 23.
  14. Back to citation Wooden, Cindy (2020-04-03). "Did Pope Francis really drop the 'Vicar of Christ' title?". Catholic Herald.
  15. Back to citation Richards, Jeffrey (1979). The Popes and the Papacy in the Early Middle Ages 476–752. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. pp. 14–16.

Bibliography

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