The Office of the Vicar General

A vicar general is to be appointed in each diocese by the diocesan bishop; he is to assist the diocesan bishop in the governance of the entire diocese and is endowed with ordinary power according to the pertinent canons of the Code of Canon Law.  He is to be a priest not less than thirty years of age, holding a doctorate or licentiate in canon law or in theology or at least truly expert in these disciplines, as well as, being recommended by reason of his sound doctrine, integrity, prudence, and experience in handling matters.  The vicar general must report to the diocesan bishop on the principal matters which are to be treated and which have been treated, and he is never to act contrary to the bishop’s will and mind.

The Office of Moderator of the Curia

Whenever it is expedient the diocesan bishop can appoint a moderator of the curia, who ought to be a priest, and whose task it is, under the authority of the bishop, to coordinate the exercise of administrative responsibilities and to see to it that the other members of the curia duly fulfill the office entrusted to them.  The vicar general is to be appointed moderator of the curia, unless circumstances warrant otherwise. The moderator of the curia acts as chief of staff for the bishop. Oversees the various departmental directors, and deals with them in ordinary and extraordinary matters under the direction of the bishop.