Souls, Cure of

Souls, Cure Of.

the technical term by which the canon law describes the charge which is given to a pastor, no matter of what degree of divinity, over the spiritual concerns of a flock; and the words especially imply the right of administering the sacraments. In this sense, the phrase is used to mark an important distinction between two classes of benefices, or church livings "benefices with," and "benefices without," the cure of souls. Of the latter class are canonries, prebends, and the whole class known in the canon law as "simple benefices." Of the former are parochial cures, vicarial cures, and, still more, the higher charges of archbishop, bishop, etc.