Apostolic vicariate is a type of Roman Catholicdiocese for non-Catholic or missionary regions and countries. It is led by a vicar apostolic, a titular bishop having jurisdiction over such areas without an established normal hierarchy. An apostolic vicariate may be administered by a neighboring or foreign diocese and is led by a priest, appointed by the bishop to the office of vicar forane, exercising limited jurisdiction over the apostolic vicariate.
