Vicar General of Sodor and Man
Encyclopedia
The Vicar General of the Diocese of Sodor and Man
is an ecclesiastical law officer appointed by the Bishop of Sodor and Man
.
Formerly there were two vicars general in the diocese, but since 1846 only one has been appointed.
The Vicar General is the judge of the ecclesiastical courts in the Isle of Man
, which comprise the Consistory Court , the Chapter Court and the Vicar General’s Court. The principal jurisdiction of the Consistory Court
is to consider applications for faculties to works affecting consecrated land or buildings; its former matrimonial jurisdiction was transferred to the High Court of Justice in 1884,, and its jurisdiction in clergy discipline to disciplinary tribunals in 2006. The Chapter Court deals with the admission to office of churchwardens
, and may hear presentments against clergy or churchwardens; its former probate jurisdiction was transferred to the High Court in 1884. The Vicar General’s Court formerly dealt with affiliation (‘bastardy’) cases, but the jurisdiction was transferred to the High Bailiff
in 1921 and the court no longer sits.
Formerly the Vicar General retired on a vacancy in the See (ie. on the retirement, death or translation of the bishop); a temporary appointment during the vacancy was made by the Lieutenant Governor
, and a fresh appointment was made by the new bishop when he took office. The appointment is now made by the bishop alone, and the office is permanent, with an age limit of 70 (although the tenure may be extended to age 75).
The Vicar General is also Chancellor of the diocese, the titles being interchangeable, and the bishop’s Official Principal
The Vicar General was formerly a member of the Legislative Council
and as such had a seat and vote in Tynwald
. He ceased to be a member in 1919.
Diocese of Sodor and Man
Sodor and Man is a diocese of the Church of England. Originally much larger, today it covers just the Isle of Man and its adjacent islets.-Early history:...
is an ecclesiastical law officer appointed by the Bishop of Sodor and Man
Bishop of Sodor and Man
The Bishop of Sodor and Man is the Ordinary of the Diocese of Sodor and Man in the Province of York in the Church of England. The diocese covers the Isle of Man. The see is in the town of Peel where the bishop's seat is located at the Cathedral Church of St German, elevated to cathedral status on 1...
.
Formerly there were two vicars general in the diocese, but since 1846 only one has been appointed.
The Vicar General is the judge of the ecclesiastical courts in the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
, which comprise the Consistory Court , the Chapter Court and the Vicar General’s Court. The principal jurisdiction of the Consistory Court
Consistory court
The consistory court is a type of ecclesiastical court, especially within the Church of England. They were established by a charter of King William I of England, and still exist today, although since about the middle of the 19th century consistory courts have lost much of their subject-matter...
is to consider applications for faculties to works affecting consecrated land or buildings; its former matrimonial jurisdiction was transferred to the High Court of Justice in 1884,, and its jurisdiction in clergy discipline to disciplinary tribunals in 2006. The Chapter Court deals with the admission to office of churchwardens
Churchwarden
A churchwarden is a lay official in a parish church or congregation of the Anglican Communion, usually working as a part-time volunteer. Holders of these positions are ex officio members of the parish board, usually called a vestry, parish council, parochial church council, or in the case of a...
, and may hear presentments against clergy or churchwardens; its former probate jurisdiction was transferred to the High Court in 1884. The Vicar General’s Court formerly dealt with affiliation (‘bastardy’) cases, but the jurisdiction was transferred to the High Bailiff
High Bailiff
In the Isle of Man the High Bailiff is the head stipendiary magistrate.In Vermont, a high bailiff is a county officer.-Isle of Man:The current High Bailiff is His Worship John Needham, who took office on 30 January 2010 on the retirement of Mr Michael Moyle. Mr Needham was previously Clerk to the...
in 1921 and the court no longer sits.
Formerly the Vicar General retired on a vacancy in the See (ie. on the retirement, death or translation of the bishop); a temporary appointment during the vacancy was made by the Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
, and a fresh appointment was made by the new bishop when he took office. The appointment is now made by the bishop alone, and the office is permanent, with an age limit of 70 (although the tenure may be extended to age 75).
The Vicar General is also Chancellor of the diocese, the titles being interchangeable, and the bishop’s Official Principal
The Vicar General was formerly a member of the Legislative Council
Legislative Council of the Isle of Man
The Legislative Council is the upper chamber of Tynwald, the legislature of the Isle of Man.It consists of eleven Members —*eight elected members, known as Members of the Legislative Council or MLCs*three ex officio members:...
and as such had a seat and vote in Tynwald
Tynwald
The Tynwald , or more formally, the High Court of Tynwald is the legislature of the Isle of Man. It is claimed to be the oldest continuous parliamentary body in the world, consisting of the directly elected House of Keys and the indirectly chosen Legislative Council.The Houses sit jointly, for...
. He ceased to be a member in 1919.
Vicars General
- Clare Faulds, 1996-Present
- Peter William Stanley Farrant, ? - 1995
- Ramsey Gelling Johnson, 1931-?
- Cyril Hughes-Games, 1906-1931
- Charles Thomas Cheslyn Callow, 1903-1905
- Samuel Harris, 1884-?
- Benjamin Philpot, 1828-1832