A Vicar's Job Description
A vicar is an official of a Christian faith. The duties and job description of a vicar will vary according to the faith. The term was used by ancient Romans and came to be applied to officials in the Catholic Church. The Eastern Orthodox churches and the Lutheran faith also have vicars. In the Anglican church, all priests are known as vicars. The word shares the same root as "vicarious" and signifies the same meaning: of one who stands in place of another.
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Catholic
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In the Catholic Church, a vicar is any representative of an ecclesiastical authority. The pope himself is known as the "vicar of Christ" after St. Peter, who was given the same title. Similarly, papal legates may be styled vicars of the Apostolic See. Bishops also have their vicars that represent them and serve as a liaison to the members of a diocese. The authority of a Catholic vicar is based on his immediate superior, for whom he acts as an agent.
Other
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In the Eastern Orthodox churches, the title "vicar" is used to reflect an individual's position in the ecclesiastical hierarchy. Thus, the leader of a church within a town or city is titled as both the bishop of that locality and the vicar of the larger diocese. In Lutheran churches, a vicar is a candidate for the full position of pastor. As such, they are subordinate to a pastor for a period of at least a year.
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Responsibilities
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The duties and responsibilities of Lutheran vicars reflect those of a pastor, and can be segregated into several distinct categories. Like a pastor, the vicars may lead worship services, prepare sermons or liturgies and complete other related tasks as assigned. They may be responsible for leading Bible study groups, making home and hospital visits, coordinating music for religious services and participating in the administration of the church.
Education
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To become a Catholic or Lutheran vicar, a candidate must complete seminary training. This involves a three-year college-level program at a seminary culminating in a Master of Divinity degree. Admission to the seminary typically also requires a four-year bachelor degree. In the Catholic faith, a seminary graduate will not necessary attain the title of vicar, whereas in Lutheran churches, vicar is an intermediate position between student and pastor.
Parish Size
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As noted by the Church Leadership Foundation, a Catholic organization, the role of the clergy varies according to the size of a parish. The challenges in small parishes revolve around maintaining the survival of the parish and providing traditional forms of ministry without doing so in a way that excludes the participation of new members. In larger parishes, vicars and other clergy must appeal to a wide variety of members while providing for what can seem like oppressive religious needs.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit church. Entrance of a church image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
