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{{Short description|A Catholic prelate outside of a diocese}}
{{refimprove|date=March 2017}}
{{Catholic Church Hierarchy}}
{{See also|Catholic Church hierarchy#Equivalents of diocesan bishops in law}}
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]].

The term is also used in a generic sense, and may then equally refer to an [[apostolic prefecture]], an [[apostolic vicariate]], a [[Apostolic Administrator|permanent apostolic administration]] (which are pre-diocesan, often missionary, or temporary), or a [[territorial abbacy]] (see there).

== Status ==
A territorial prelate exercises quasi-[[bishop|episcopal]] jurisdiction in a territory separate from the territory of a diocese.<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12386b.htm Kirsch, Johann Peter. "Prelate." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 12. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. 17 February 2023 {{PD-notice}}</ref> 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 (Catholic Church)|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 [[chrism|consecrating oils]], etc., which are referred to the episcopal order only analogously.<ref name=Catholic/>

Prelates nullius may take cognizance of matrimonial causes within the same limits as a bishop. They may dispense from the proclamation of [[banns of marriage|matrimonial banns]], grant faculties for hearing [[confession (sacrament)|confession]]s and preaching, reserve certain cases to themselves, publish [[indulgence]]s and [[Jubilee (Christian)|jubilee]]s, exercise full jurisdiction over the enclosure of [[nun]]s, and invite any bishop to [[confirmation (sacrament)|confirm]] in their quasi-diocese.<ref name=Catholic/> 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 delegate]]s.<ref name=Catholic/>

Prelates nullius are, however, bound to residence, to preach the Word of God, to offer [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] for their people, to make the ''[[visit ad limina]]'' to the [[Roman Curia]], and in concurrence with the neighbouring bishop to perform a [[Canonical visitation|visitation]] of their quasi-diocese.<ref name=Catholic>{{Catholic|wstitle=Praelatus Nullius|inline=1}}</ref>

== Current territorial prelatures ==
{{As of|2022|November}}, there were 39, all [[Latin Church]]:

=== In Asia ===
* in the [[Roman Catholicism in the Philippines|Philippines]] : [[Territorial Prelature of Infanta|Infanta]], [[Territorial Prelature of Isabela|Isabela]], [[Territorial Prelature of Marawi|Marawi]]
* [[Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Batanes|Batanes-Babuyan]] is suffragan to the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tuguegarao|Archdiocese of Tuguegarao]].<ref>[http://cbcponline.net/prelature-of-batanes-babuyan/ "Prelature of Batanes-Babuyan", CBCP]</ref>

=== In Europe ===
* in [[Italy]]: [[Territorial Prelature of Loreto|Loreto]], [[Territorial Prelature of Pompei|Pompei]]
* in [[France]]: [[Territorial Prelature of Mission de France|Mission de France]]<ref>Pius XII, "Apostolic Constitution ''Omnium Ecclesiarum''", 15 August 1954: AAS 46 (1954), pp. 567-574</ref>
* in [[Norway]]: [[Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Tromsø|Tromsø]], [[Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Trondheim|Trondheim]]

=== In Latin America ===
* in [[Argentina]]: [[Territorial Prelature of Cafayate|Cafayate]], [[Territorial Prelature of Deán Funes|Deán Funes]], [[Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Esquel|Esquel]], [[Territorial Prelature of Humahuaca|Humahuaca]]
* in [[Bolivia]]: [[Territorial Prelature of Aiquile|Aiquile]], [[Territorial Prelature of Corocoro|Corocoro]]
* in [[Brazil]]: [[Territorial Prelature of Itacoatiara|Itacoatiara]], [[Territorial Prelature of Itaituba|Itaituba]], [[Territorial Prelature of Lábrea|Lábrea]], [[Territorial Prelature of Marajó|Marajó]], [[Territorial Prelature of São Félix|São Félix]], [[Territorial Prelature of Tefé|Tefé]], [[Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Alto Xingu-Tucumã|Alto Xingu-Tucumã]]
* in [[Chile]]: [[Territorial Prelature of Illapel|Illapel]]
* in [[Guatemala]]: [[Territorial Prelature of Santo Cristo de Esquípulas|Santo Cristo de Esquípulas]] (United ''aeque principaliter'', i.e. in [[personal union]], with [[Diocese of Zacapa]] from 1986.06.24)
* in [[Mexico]]: [[Territorial Prelature of El Salto|El Salto]], [[Territorial Prelature of Huautla|Huautla]], [[Territorial Prelature of Jesús María|Jesús María]], [[Territorial Prelature of Mixes|Mixes]]
* in [[Panama]]: [[Territorial Prelature of Bocas del Toro|Bocas del Toro]]
* in [[Peru]]: [[Territorial Prelature of Ayaviri|Ayaviri]], [[Territorial Prelature of Caravelí|Caravelí]], [[Territorial Prelature of Chota|Chota]], [[Territorial Prelature of Chuquibamba|Chuquibamba]],<ref>[https://holycrosscongregation.org/news/pope-francis-appoints-fr-izaguirre-bishop-prelate-of-chuquibamba-peru/ "Pope Francis Appoints Fr. Izaguirre Bishop Prelate of Chuquibamba, Peru", Congregation of Holy Cross, May 12, 2015]</ref> [[Territorial Prelature of Chuquibambilla|Chuquibambilla]], [[Territorial Prelature of Huamachuco|Huamachuco]], [[Territorial Prelature of Juli|Juli]], [[Territorial Prelature of Moyobamba|Moyobamba]], and [[Territorial Prelature of Yauyos|Yauyos]]. Established in 2019, the [[Roman Catholic Territorial Prelature of Santiago Apóstol de Huancané|Territorial Prelature of Santiago Apóstol de Huancané]] is suffragan to the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Arequipa|Archdiocese of Arequipa]].<ref>[https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2019/04/03/190403c.html "Erection of the territorial prelature of Santiago Apóstol de Huancané, Peru, and appointment of the first bishop prelate", Holy See Press Office, 3 April 2019]</ref>

== Nominal territorial prelatures ==
(incomplete?)

* in Italy : [[Territorial Prelature of Santa Lucia del Mela]], on [[Sicily]], merged into the thus accordingly renamed [[Metropolitan Archdiocese of Messina–Lipari–Santa Lucia del Mela]]

== Former territorial prelatures ==
''(probably quite incomplete; all Latin)

; In Europe - Italy
* Territorial Prelature of Acquaviva delle Fonti (suppressed into Diocese of Altamura–Gravina–Acquaviva delle Fonti)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Altamura]] (promoted to Diocese of Altamura–Gravina–Acquaviva delle Fonti)

; in [[Brazil]]
* [[Territorial Prelature of Abaeté do Tocantins]] (Brazil, now Diocese of Abaetetuba)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Acre and Purus]] (Brazil, now Diocese of Rio Branco)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Bananal]] (Brazil, suppressed)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Bom Jesus do Piauí]] (Brazil, renamed and promoted Diocese of Bom Jesus do Gurguéia)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Borba|Borba]] (Brazil, promoted diocese) 
* [[Territorial Prelature of Cristalândia]] (Brazil, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Formosa]] (Brazil, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Guiratinga]] (Brazil, promoted and renamed Diocese of Primavera do Leste–Paranatinga)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Paranatinga]] (Brazil, suppressed)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Porto Velho]] (Brazil, promoted twice: now Archdiocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Registro do Araguaia]] (Brazil, suppressed)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Rio Branco]] (Brazil, originally Acre and Purus, promoted Diocese of Rio Branco)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Roraima]] (Brazil, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of São Peregrino Laziosi no Alto Acre e Alto Purus]] (Brazil, originally Acre and Purus, promoted Diocese of Rio Branco)
* [[Territorial Prelature of São Raimundo Nonato]] (Brazil, promoted diocese)

; in Spanish-speaking [[Latin America]]
* [[Territorial Prelature of Arica]] (Chile, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Caacupé]] (Paraguay, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Chimbote]] (Peru, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Choluteca]] (Honduras, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Chulucanas]] (Peru, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Copiapó]] (Chile, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Escuintla]] (Guatemala, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Huarí]] (Peru, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Huehuetenango]] (Guatemala, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Madera]] (Mexico, promoted and renamed Diocese of Cuauhtémoc-Madera)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Río Magdalena]] (Colombia, promoted and renamed Diocese of Barrancabermeja)
* [[Territorial Prelature of San Fernando de Apure]] (Venezuela, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Sicuani|Sicuani]], (Peru, promoted to diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Tarma]] (Peru, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Inmaculada Concepción de la B.V.M. en Olancho]] (Honduras, renamed and promoted Diocese of Juticalpa)

;in [[Asia]] :
* [[Territorial Prelature of Cotabato]] (Philippines, initially [[Territorial Prelature of Cotabato and Sulu]]; promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Kidapawan]] (Philippines, promoted diocese)
* [[Territorial Prelature of Marbel]] (Philippines, promoted diocese)

== See also ==
* [[Territorial Abbacy]]
{{Portal|Catholicism}}
* [[List of Catholic dioceses (alphabetical)]]
* [[List of Catholic dioceses (structured view)]]
* [[Military ordinariate|List of Catholic military dioceses]]
* [[apostolic administrator|List of Catholic apostolic administrations]]
* [[Apostolic Vicariate|List of Catholic apostolic vicariates]]
* [[Exarch#Modern Eastern Catholic churches|List of Catholic exarchates]]
* [[Apostolic prefect|List of Catholic apostolic prefectures]]
* [[Mission sui iuris|List of Catholic missions ''sui juris'']]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== Sources and external links ==
* [http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/data/typeprel.htm GCatholic]

{{Catholicism}}

[[Category:Territorial prelates| ]]