Glossary

Vicar(s)

1)     A Vicar is the term used for an incumbent or parish priest who is responsible for a benefice within the church. He or she is in charge of a parish or a group of parishes and is legally responsible for the conduct of the worship and exercising pastoral care in the benefice. The term goes back to medieval times when churches were connected to monasteries, which received the revenues from that church. The monastery would often pay a secular priest or ‘vicar’ to look after the parish. Vicars and rectors have the same status, the only difference being that there are more jokes about vicars than rectors!

1 Terms with 1 Definitions