Overview
chancellor
Quick Reference
In the C of E, the diocesan chancellor is a professional lawyer who is the chief representative of the bishop in the administration of the temporal affairs of his diocese. Diocesan chancellors are usually the sole presidents of the Consistory Courts in faculty cases. They deal with applications for faculties and, through their surrogates, common marriage licences. With two clerical and two lay assessors as jury, they hear complaints against clerics under the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1963, when these do not involve matters of doctrine, ritual, or ceremonial.
In England the title of chancellor is also held by one of the residentiary canons in cathedrals of the ‘Old Foundation’. The chancellor used to be responsible for the cathedral school and library but now often has wider educational functions.
In the RC Church, the diocesan chancellor is primarily responsible for the official archives, but considerable authority is often delegated to him by the bishop.
Subjects: History
