Apostolic Delegate

The apostolic delegate or papal envoy is the representative of the Apostolic See who maintains contact with church institutions and people.

If the representative of the Apostolic See is not only a link to the local Church , but also an accredited ambassador to a state, he is referred to as an Apostolic Nuncio . In contrast to this, a delegate does not have the rights and privileges under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, such as personal immunity .

The Codex of Canon Law designates all apostolic legates in the Latin version as legati pontificii (" papal legates "), in the German version as "papal envoys". In canon law there is therefore no difference between papal nuncios and delegates. In its territory, the Apostolic Delegate has precedence over all bishops except cardinals and patriarchs . There he is also allowed to wear a cingulum , pileolus and a hat made of purple moiré silk and to celebrate services in all churches in his area of ​​responsibility, including pontificals .

There are currently eleven Apostolic Delegates:

• Africa :
  • Comoros : The Apostolic Delegate is also the Apostolic Nuncio in Madagascar .
  • Somalia : The Apostolic Delegate is also the Apostolic Nuncio in Ethiopia and Djibouti .
• America :
  • Antilles : The Apostolic Delegate is also the Apostolic Nuncio in 12 other states. He is responsible for the dependent areas in the region
  • Puerto Rico : The Apostolic Delegate is also the Apostolic Nuncio in the Dominican Republic . The delegation is not included in the Annuario Pontificio , but the Apostolic Nuncio in the Dominican Republic has a personal mandate to represent the Holy See as an Apostolic Delegate.
• Asia :
  • Brunei : The Apostolic Delegate is also the Apostolic Nuncio in Malaysia and East Timor .
  • Jerusalem and Palestine : The Apostolic Delegate is also the Apostolic Nuncio in Israel and Cyprus .
  • Laos : The Apostolic Delegate is also the Apostolic Nuncio in Thailand , Myanmar and Cambodia .
  • Arabian Peninsula : The Apostolic Delegate is responsible for the countries Saudi Arabia and Oman , which do not have diplomatic relations with the Holy See, and is accredited as Apostolic Nuncio in Kuwait , Bahrain , the United Arab Emirates and Yemen .
  • Vietnam
• Europe :
  • Kosovo : The Apostolic Delegate is also the Apostolic Nuncio in Slovenia .
• Oceania :
  • Pacific : The Apostolic Messenger is also the Apostolic Nuncio in New Zealand and ten other states. As a delegate he is responsible for Tuvalu , which has no diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

supporting documents

1. ↑ Codex of Canon Law, Cann. 362-367
2. ↑ Ut sive sollicite. Retrieved June 19, 2020 . 
3. ↑ CIC / 1983 German online. Retrieved June 19, 2020 .