ARCHBISHOPRIC

ARCHBISHOPRIC, Archepiscopatus, the dignity of archbishop; or the province under his jurisdiction. See ARCHBISHOP.

There are two archbishoprics in England, viz. of Canterbury and York; the prelates whereof are called primates and metropolitans.

See PRIMATE and METROPOLITAN.

The Archbishop of Canterbury had anciently jurisdiction over Ireland as well as England and was styled a Patriarch, and sometimes Alterius orbis Papa, and Orbis Britannici Pontifex. Matters done and recorded in his name ran thus, Anno Pontificatus nostri primo, etc. See PATRIARCH, POPE, etc.



He was also Legatus Natus. See LEGATE. He even enjoyed some special marks of royalty; as, to be patron of a bishopric, which he was of Rochester; to make knights, coin monies, etc. He is still the first peer of England, and next to the Royal Family; having precedence of all dukes, and all great officers of the crown. See NOBILITY, PEER, PRECEDENCE, etc.

He has, by common law, the power of probate of wills and testaments, and granting letters of administration, etc. See PROBATE, ADMINISTRATION, etc.

He also has a power to grant licenses and dispensations in all cases formerly sued for in the Court of Rome, and not repugnant to the law of God. See DISPENSATION, PLURALITY, NON-RESIDENCE, COMMENDAM, etc. He also holds several courts of judicature; as, Court of Arches, Court of Audience, Prerogative Court, and Court of Peculiars. See ARCHES, AUDIENCE, etc.

The Archbishop of York has the like rights in his province, as the Archbishop of Canterbury; has precedence of all dukes not of the royal blood; and all officers of state except the Lord High Chancellor. He has the rights of a Count Palatine over Hexhamshire. See CONVOCATION, etc.

ARCHDEACON, Archidiaconus, a church officer, whose business is to visit the parishes within a certain district, or part of a diocese committed to him. See VISITATION, PARISH, etc.

The archdeacon, sometimes also called arch-levite, was originally the first and eldest of the deacons who attended on the bishop; whence his name. See DEACON.

He was not known before the Council of Nice: his function has since become a dignity; and even set above that of priest: though anciently it was quite otherwise. The archdeacon was the bishop’s chief minister for all external concerns, and particularly the administration of the temporalities. He took care that order and decency were observed in divine service, looked to the ornaments and utensils of the church, and was responsible for increasing their number—He whose district lay in the capital city, took the quality of Great-Archdeacon.

We have sixty archdeacons in England: their office is to visit every other year, to inquire into reparations and moveables belonging to the church, reform abuses in ecclesiastical matters, and bring the more weighty affairs before the bishop; besides which, they also have a power to suspend, excommunicate, and in many places to prove wills, and in some to institute to benefices. It is one part of the archdeacon’s office to induct all clerks into their benefices within his jurisdiction; and by the Act of Uniformity, he is now obliged to be in priests' orders. See INDUCTION. Many archdeacons include foundations, have, by prescription, their courts and officials as bishops have. See COURT, OFFICIAL, etc.

ARCHBISHOPRIC