“Whenever the correct governance of a diocese requires it, the diocesan bishop can also appoint one or more episcopal vicars, namely, those who in a specific part of the diocese or in a certain type of affairs or over the faithful of a specific rite or over certain groups of persons possess the same ordinary power which a vicar general has by universal law, according to the norms of the following canons.” (Canon 476)

As often as the correct governance of the diocese requires it, the Diocesan Bishop can also appoint one or several Episcopal Vicars, who possess the same ordinary power which the universal law gives to a Vicar General either in a determined section of the diocese or in a certain type of business or over the faithful of a determined rite or over certain groups of persons.

While a Vicar General possesses executive authority in all aspects of diocesan administration not reserved to the Bishop himself, the Episcopal Vicar, by virtue of his office, enjoys executive authority solely in regard to a specific type of activity or a particular group of persons. The Episcopal Vicar’s area of responsibility and the extent of his authority are established in the decree appointing him, as are matters which the Bishop reserves to himself. The appointment of an Episcopal Vicar is optional, and as with the Vicar General, is at the discretion of the Bishop. Both the Vicar General and the Episcopal Vicar are appointed for a specific time, mentioned in the letter of appointment. When the Diocese has no bishop, the office of Vicar General and Episcopal Vicar cease.

In the Diocese of Salford there are seven Episcopal Vicars, exercising episcopal jurisdiction in their assigned area:

Episcopal Vicar for Clergy
Canon Paul Brindle

Episcopal Vicar for Religious
Canon Liam Houlihan

Episcopal Vicar for Adminstration
Monsignor Austin Bulfin

Episcopal Vicar for Formation
Canon Anthony McBride

Episcopal Vicar for Vocation
Fr Ian Farrell

Episcopal Vicar for Evangelisation
Fr Paul Cannon

Episcopal Vicar for Social Responsibility
Fr David Glover