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From the Latin curatus (compare Curator), a curate (pronounced /ˈkjʊərɨt/, us dict: kyoorʹĭt) is a person who is invested with the care, or cure (cura), of souls of a parish. In this sense it correctly means a parish priest. In Anglican churches, however, the term is usually used for an assistant priest or deacon. In the Roman Catholic Church it is often the term used for the parochial vicar or priest assigned to assist the pastor of a parish. The duties or office of a curate are sometimes called a curacy (as the office of a president is a presidency).Originally a bishop would entrust a priest with the 'cure of souls' (pastoral ministry) of a parish. When, in medieval Europe, this included the legal freehold of church land in the parish, the parish priest was the perpetual curate (curatus perpetuus). Occasionally a bishop might appoint a temporary or assistant curate (curatus temporalis). This was particularly the case if the perpetual curate was absent or needed assistance. |
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