Office > Vicar General

Purpose:

The Office of the Vicar General oversees all administrative matters. He coordinates the exercise of administrative responsibilities and sees that all members of the Curia dutifully fulfill the offices entrusted to them. The Vicar General fosters unity, identity, and purpose for the Diocese of Richmond. He provides guidance and direction to the offices and departments in the implementation of the Mission of the Diocese and identification of the priorities set forth by the Bishop.

 

The large scope and executive nature of the office requires that the Vicar General be of sound doctrine, of integrity, of prudence, and well versed in both canon law and theology.  While the historical origins of this office date back to the 4th century, the Second Vatican Council spoke of it as “the most important office in the diocesan curia”, and the 1983 Code of Canon Law established it as a mandatory office in the organizational structure of a diocese.  In handling many of the day-to-day canonical operations of the diocese, the vicar general maintains frequent communication with the bishop so that he may always act in harmony with the intention and mind of the Successor of the Apostles.  [can. 475-481]