Very Rev. Jason Trull named Vicar General for the Diocese of St. Augustine, effective Jan. 20, 2023.

After the announcement of my appointment as Vicar General, I have had numerous questions regarding what a Vicar General is/does. According to Canon (Church) Law the following canons pertain to the Vicar General:

Can. 475 §1. In each diocese the diocesan bishop must appoint a vicar general who is provided with ordinary power according to the norm of the following canons and who is to assist him in the governance of the whole diocese.

Can. 479 §1. By virtue of office, the vicar general has the executive power over the whole diocese which belongs to the diocesan bishop by law, namely, the power to place all administrative acts except those, however, which the bishop has reserved to himself, or which require a special mandate of the bishop by law.

And from our Diocesan website:
The duty of the vicar general is to assist the bishop in the governance of the Diocese of St. Augustine. “A vicar general and an episcopal vicar must report to the diocesan bishop concerning more important affairs which are to be handled or have been handled, and they are never to act contrary to the intention and mind of the diocesan bishop” (Canon 480).

In short, the Vicar General must maintain a broad view of the work of the diocese and assist the bishop in shepherding the diocese. This will be a challenging assignment, but I think it will also be an exciting one! I hope this description helps. I again ask for your prayers as I take on this responsibility and please know of my continued prayers for all of you!

Love,

Fr. Jason