Apostolic visitor
An Apostolic Visitator (from Latin visitator , 'visitor' ) is a representative of the Pope who is endowed with special and extensive powers. According to canon law, those examined are obliged to “work together with the visitor in a trusting manner, in that they have to respond truthfully to legitimate questioning”.
Mission and working method of the Apostolic Visitor
The appointment of an apostolic visitor for an entire diocese means that the visitor, on behalf of the Pope, has to review the entire administration of the diocesan bishop and all diocesan institutions. Its function is described by church insiders as that of a "controller with extensive powers". The visitor is responsible only to the Pope; his report is the "first step for further action". Such a step is considered an official declaration of no confidence in the administration of the local bishop concerned. The visitor has far-reaching powers. The visited diocesan bishop is no longer allowed to make decisions independently. Apostolic visitors can also be appointed for papal visits to religious orders and monasteries or other ecclesiastical institutions.
The visitation
In principle, visitations are part of the church's routine: the parishes are regularly visited by their bishop - or one of his representatives. Monastic communities and other religious establishments receive visitations from the major superiors (competent abbot , provincial or superior general ) at certain intervals regulated in their statutes . These visitations are intended to strengthen the communities and congregations in their pastoral zeal and in their apostolic disposition, to clarify pending material and personnel issues or to ensure course corrections.
The aim of an apostolic visitation is to determine the specific circumstances in the diocese visited , parts of a diocese or the community visited. In particular, the visitor has to find out structural and personal problems that exist in the diocesan instructions and in the seminar leadership and, if necessary, prepare a decision of the Apostolic See.
literature
- Carl Andresen , Georg Denzler : dtv dictionary of church history , Deutscher Taschenbuch Verlag, Munich, 5th edition 1997, ISBN 3-423-03245-6 , p. 618f.
- Heribert Schmitz : Art. Visitor, Apostolic Visitor . In: Lexicon of Canon Law , ed. by Stephan Haering and Heribert Schmitz. Herder, Freiburg Br. 2004, ISBN 3-451-28522-3 , Sp. 999f.
Web links
Notes on the Extraordinary Apostolic Visitor
- kipa announcement: Pope appoints Apostolic Visitor for St. Pölten
- The Apostolic Visitator - His Task, Rights and Duties by Ludger Müller
- Ordinary or permanent Apostolic Visitators
Individual evidence
- ^ Karl Ernst Georges : Comprehensive Latin-German concise dictionary . 8th, improved and increased edition. Hahnsche Buchhandlung, Hannover 1918 ( zeno.org [accessed January 2, 2019]).