APOSTOLIC PREFECT. — The Apostolic Prefecture is governed by a prelate who bears the title of Apostolic Prefect; together with the Apostolic Vicar and the Superior of a sui iuris mission, he constitutes the so-called missionary or extraordinary hierarchy, introduced by the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide for mission countries.
The Apostolic Prefect appears to derive from the *praefatio missis missionis* of the missions of the regulars in the 13th–15th centuries. The first traces of an Apostolic Prefect date back at least to the year 1661; yet both figures are found in the juridical collections of Propaganda Fide almost up to the Code of Canon Law. It has not yet been ascertained how the transition from *praefatio missis* to Apostolic Prefect occurred; at times the two were confused, and the change of name was attributed to the need for abbreviation (*praefectus apostolicus* instead of *praefectus missis apostolicae*). In the preparatory schemas of the Code and in the Code itself, the Prefect is fully equated with the Apostolic Vicar. He is appointed by the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide in consistory; he takes possession of the territory by presenting the decree or letters of the same Sacred Congregation to whoever governs the territory in the interim; the appointment is always *ad nutum* of the Sacred Congregation. In the past, the nature of the jurisdiction of the Apostolic Prefect was much debated; authors tended to recognize in him delegated jurisdiction; today, with the prescriptions on the matter issued by the Code of Canon Law, it is certain that his jurisdiction is ordinary, since it is attached to the office itself, and vicarious, because exercised not in his own name but in that of the Roman Pontiff. Within the territory entrusted to him, the Prefect enjoys the same rights and faculties as residential bishops. With regard to the power of order, although it is not excluded that the Apostolic Prefect may be invested with the episcopal character, it is common practice that he be a simple priest with wide participation in the power of order; he may give all blessings reserved to bishops, except the papal blessing; he may consecrate chalices, patens, and portable altars using oil blessed by a bishop; grant indulgences of up to 50 days; administer Confirmation, tonsure, and minor orders. This power of order is limited to the time he holds office and cannot be exercised outside the limits of his own territory. While in office and within his territory, he enjoys the honorary privileges of an *Apostolic Protonotary Participating*; thus he is considered a domestic prelate of His Holiness with the attached title of *Monsignor*. By special concession of the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide (Minor Formula, no. 53), Apostolic Prefects were authorized to use these honorary privileges even outside their territory, provided they were in office; this concession was revoked by a notification of the same Sacred Congregation dated 15 August 1947, and no. 53 was abolished in the text of the Minor Formula of faculties. In addition to the ordinary faculties he enjoys by virtue of the law itself, the Prefect is granted other delegated faculties according to a specific formula (v. QUINQUENNALS, FACULTIES).
The obligations of the Apostolic Prefect are substantially the same as those of the Apostolic Vicar (v.): a quinquennial report to the Holy See on the state of the mission, an annual statistical report on conversions; the obligation to reside in the region and to make the canonical visitation of the prefecture, although no time limit is prescribed for fulfilling this duty. He is bound to observe the prescriptions regarding the establishment of the mission archive; he must apply the Mass *ex iustitia* for his people on the days established in can. 306. The Prefect has the special obligation, in mission territories, of establishing the indigenous clergy. He is not bound, by common law, to make the *ad limina* visit nor to celebrate a synod, but he may be so bound by a particular right (e.g., in China).