A territorial prelate is, in
Catholic usage, a
prelate whose geographic jurisdiction, called territorial prelature, generally does not belong to any
diocese and is considered a
particular church.
A territorial prelate exercises quasi-
episcopal jurisdiction in a territory separate from the territory of a diocese.[1] In many cases the prelature is exempt from diocesan oversight and instead subject to the jurisdiction of the Holy See.
As a rule, territorial (and personal) prelates are consecrated as bishops, though not bishops of their diocese, as expressed by the title Bishop-prelate. Most were/are missionaries, outside Europe (mainly Latin America and a few Asian countries) or in countries with a Protestant majority (notably Lutheran Norway).
Prelate nullius
The territorial prelate is sometimes called a prelate nullius, from the Latin nullius diœceseos, prelate "of no diocese," meaning the territory falls directly under the 'exempt' jurisdiction of the
Holy See or
Pope (Bishop of Rome) and is not a diocese under a residing
bishop.
The rights of prelates nullius are quasi-episcopal, and these dignitaries are supposed to have any power that a bishop has, unless it is expressly denied to them by
canon law. If they have not received
episcopal consecration, such prelates may not confer
holy orders. If not consecrated episcopally, they have not the power to exercise those functions of
consecrating oils, etc., which are referred to the episcopal order only analogously.[2]
Prelates nullius may take cognizance of matrimonial causes within the same limits as a bishop. They may dispense from the proclamation of
matrimonial banns, grant faculties for hearing
confessions and preaching, reserve certain cases to themselves, publish
indulgences and
jubilees, exercise full jurisdiction over the enclosure of
nuns, and invite any bishop to
confirm in their quasi-diocese.[2] They may, even if priests only, confirm themselves by papal privilege as expressed in canon 883 No. 1 CIC whenever they find it appropriate; however, even as local ordinaries they are in that case only extraordinary ministers of confirmation and should thus prefer to invite bishops if possible.
These prelates may not, however, without special permission of the
Holy See, convoke a
synod or institute synodal examiners. Neither may they confer parochial benefices. They are not allowed to grant indulgences, or absolve from the
reserved cases and secret irregularities whose absolution is restricted to the pope ordinarily, but allowed to bishops by the
Council of Trent, nor promote secular clerics to orders, nor grant dimissory letters for ordination, nor exercise jurisdiction over regulars as
apostolic delegates.[2]
Prelates nullius are, however, bound to residence, to preach the Word of God, to offer
Mass for their people, to make the visit ad limina to the
Roman Curia, and in concurrence with the neighbouring bishop to perform a
visitation of their quasi-diocese.[2]