Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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DELEGATION
The power of jurisdiction in spiritual matters that one person receives from another, who has ordinary jurisdiction in virtue of his office. The one delegated acts in the name of the person delegating. Before proceeding, one must wait until the power to act has been formally communicated. Ordinary jurisdiction is all that is needed to delegate, unless this power is definitely withheld. A delegate does not have the power to subdelegate, unless: 1. this power is expressly granted in his delegation; or 2. he has universal jurisdiction in certain matters, or in a specified class of matters (e.g., all marriages). Without being able to make a new delegation, he may request others to assist him with details of his work.
