Formerly there were two vicars general in the diocese, but since 1846 only one has been appointed.[1]
The Vicar General is the judge of the ecclesiastical courts in the Isle of Man, which comprise the Consistory Court, the Chapter Court and the Vicar General’s Court. The principal jurisdiction of the Consistory Court is to consider applications for faculties to works affecting consecrated land or buildings; its former matrimonial jurisdiction was transferred to the High Court of Justice in 1884,[2] and its jurisdiction in clergy discipline to disciplinary tribunals in 2006.[3]Churchwardens are sworn in before the Chapter Court,[4] which may hear presentments against clergy or churchwardens; its former probate jurisdiction was transferred to the High Court in 1884.[5] The Vicar General's Court formerly dealt with affiliation (bastardy) cases, but the jurisdiction was transferred to the High Bailiff in 1921[6] and the court no longer sits.[7]
Formerly, the Vicar General retired on a vacancy in the See (i.e. on the retirement, death or translation of the bishop); a temporary appointment during the vacancy was made by the Lieutenant Governor, and a fresh appointment was made by the new bishop when he took office.[8] The appointment is now made by the bishop alone, and the office is permanent, with an age limit of 70 (although the tenure may be extended to age 75).[9]
The Vicar General is also Chancellor of the diocese, the titles being interchangeable,[10] and the bishop's Official Principal.[11]
Until 1919, the Vicar General was a member of the Legislative Council and as such had a seat and vote in Tynwald.[12]
^For further information on the functions of the Vicar General, see P W S Farrant, Some Observations on the History of and the Role and Duties of the Manx Vicar General, Chancellor & Official Principal, (1995) Ecclesiastical Law Journal vol.3 p.410
^Evidence of Attorney General Sir James Gell: Report of the Royal Commission on the Ecclesiastical Courts (1883, C.3760) vol. ii pp.322-323. [2]
^Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963 s.2(4) as extended to the Isle of Man by the Church Act 1969; age limit reduced from 72 to 70 by Church of England (Miscellaneous Provisions) Measure 2010 s.5 as extended to the Isle of Man by the Church Offices Measure (Isle of Man) 2011.
^Bradley, A. G. (ca. 1900) Our Centenarian Grandfather, 1790-1890. London: John Bale ("From the MS. autobiography of the Rev. B. Philpot, Fellow of Ch. Coll., Camb., Vicar-General and Archdeacon of the Isle of Man, Rector of Gt. Cressingham, &c., &c.")
