POTESTAS REGIMINIS vel POTESTAS IURISDICTIONIS

Potestas = juridical exercise of the munera received in or through the sacraments, canonically determined (after reception of the corresponding sacrament) by the competent authority. (cf CIC canons 131 and 134)

1. Ordinaria = quae ipso iure alicui officio adnectitur

• 1.1 Propria: based on a sacramental and ontological element which presupposes potestas sacra
• 1.2 Vicaria: exercised in another's name. Not based on potestas sacra but through transfer of competence to decentralise or unburden the one who exercises proper ordinary power.
  • 1.2.1 General: those offices which by nature are proper of the same executive power as those with proper ordinary power (e.g. Vicar Generals or Episcopal Vicars)
  • 1.2.2 Special: for particular functions assigned to the office

2. Delegata = quae ipsi personae non mediante officio conceditur. Exercise of power in another's name. It is an inorganic form of exercising power.

• 2.1 Classification by Source
  • 2.1.1 a iure: provided by law
  • 2.1.2 ab homine: from a singular administrative act
• 2.2 Classification by Issue In Question
  • 2.2.1 universal: for all issues falling under a certain category or kind
  • 2.2.2 singular: for one concrete case

An Ordinary is one who has either 1.1 or 1.2.1 of the above.

• Local Ordinary
  • Roman Pontiff
  • Diocesan Bishop
  • Vicar General and Episcopal Vicar
• Non-local
  • Superiors of Clerical Religious Institutes
  • Clerical Societies of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right
• EXCLUDES moderators of secular institutes, though they have power to incardinate