APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR. - This is the name given to the ecclesiastic appointed by the Holy See to govern, in an extraordinary capacity, a diocese or a part of II.
The apostolic administrator may be appointed temporarily or permanently, during a vacant see or while the see is occupied. The appointment of an apostolic administrator during a vacant see is frequent, especially when the particular circumstances of the diocese and of the chapter make it inadvisable to allow the appointment of a capitular vicar; generally, one of the neighbouring bishops is designated. The appointment of an apostolic administrator while the see is occupied is rare. This may occur in the event of the bishop’s illness, when it is nevertheless not intended to have him resign, or because of particular disciplinary situations; in that case, for the entire duration of the administration, the jurisdiction of the bishop and of his vicar general is suspended (can. 316, § 1). The powers of the apostolic administrator are determined by the letters of appointment; but in general, when his appointment is temporary, he has the same rights and duties as the capitular vicar. While the see is occupied, he may visit the diocese (can. 319); if he is not a bishop, he has the honorary insignia of the protonotari di numero; he does not cease from office upon the death of the Pontiff who
appointed him, but only after the new bishop has taken possession of the diocese.
Permanent administrations are established by the Holy See in view of special political conditions, especially where particular boundary questions exist or where possession by various nations is unstable. In such cases the apostolic administrator has the same rights, honours, and obligations as the residential bishop (can. 315, § 1) and is generally invested with episcopal character.