ordinariate
C2Formal, Ecclesiastical, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A special ecclesiastical jurisdiction within the Catholic Church, established for former Anglicans who wish to enter into full communion with Rome while retaining elements of their Anglican liturgical and spiritual heritage.
A permanent canonical structure, similar to a diocese, created by the Pope to oversee the pastoral care of specific groups of faithful, particularly former Anglicans and their clergy. It can also refer, in a more general historical sense, to the office or jurisdiction of an ordinary (a bishop or other high-ranking church official).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is highly specific to Roman Catholic canon law and ecclesiology. Its primary modern usage refers to the structures created under the apostolic constitution 'Anglicanorum Coetibus' (2009). It is not synonymous with a diocese, though it functions similarly, nor is it a 'rite' like the Latin or Eastern rites.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept is identical in both varieties, though the UK has a direct example (the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham).
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties. In the UK, it may be more widely recognized due to the presence of the aforementioned ordinariate.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language. Slightly higher potential frequency in UK Catholic/ecumenical discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the Ordinariate of [Proper Name]a member of the ordinariateto enter/join the ordinariateVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this highly technical term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theological, historical, and canon law studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare, only in discussions involving Catholic-Anglican relations.
Technical
The primary context. Used precisely in Catholic canon law, ecclesiastical documents, and ecumenical dialogue.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- ordinariate clergy
- the ordinariate community
American English
- ordinariate members
- an ordinariate parish
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too complex for A2]
- [Too complex for B1]
- The new ordinariate allows former Anglican priests to become Catholic priests.
- He decided to join the Personal Ordinariate after many years in the Church of England.
- The establishment of the ordinariate marked a significant development in Catholic-Anglican relations.
- Canon lawyers debated the precise jurisdictional boundaries of the newly formed ordinariate.
- The ordinariate preserves elements of the Book of Common Prayer within its liturgy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think ORDINARY + ATE. An 'ordinary' is a church official; an 'ordinariate' is the jurisdiction he 'ate up' or oversees, especially for a special group.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CONTAINER FOR TRADITION (The ordinariate is conceived as a vessel preserving Anglican patrimony within the larger Catholic Church).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "ординарный" (ordinary/common).
- Не путать с "ординариат" (военное учебное заведение) в некоторых контекстах.
- Ближайший эквивалент — "персональный ординариат" (калька).
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as 'or-di-NAIR-ee-ate' (stress error).
- Using it to refer to any Catholic diocese.
- Confusing it with a religious order like the Jesuits or Franciscans.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'Personal Ordinariate' primarily?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it functions similarly for its members, an ordinariate is a distinct canonical structure for a specific group of faithful, often spread geographically, and is led by an 'ordinary' who may not be a bishop.
Primarily, it is for former Anglicans (individuals, families, or groups) and their clergy. Catholics who feel a connection to this Anglican spiritual heritage may also join under certain conditions.
As of the early 2020s, there are three main personal ordinariates: Our Lady of Walsingham (UK), the Chair of St. Peter (North America), and Our Lady of the Southern Cross (Australia).
A rite (e.g., Latin, Byzantine) encompasses an entire liturgical, theological, and disciplinary tradition. An ordinariate is a jurisdictional structure within the Latin Rite that permits the use of certain Anglican liturgical elements.