The Authority of the Bishop's Curate According to the Code of Canon Law of 1983

Abstract

The article considers the nature, range and cessation of the authority of the bishop's curate. The authority he exercises is ordinary representation and its range should be defined by the diocesan bishop. Outside the powers following from the office the bishop's curate may act on the grounds of special commission conferred on him by the diocesan bishop, however, he then acts on the grounds of delegated authority.

The cessation of the authority of the bishop's curate who is a presbyter happens as result of expiry of the commission time, renunciation or exclusion, announced to the person concerned by the diocesan bishop or in the situation of sede vacante. In that situation the bishop's curate who is the subsidiary bishop ceases being the curate but he keeps the authority he had while being the bishop's curate in the situation of sede plena. It is authority delegated "a iure". This authority is exercised until the new diocesan bishop takes office.