A curate ( /ˈkjʊərɨt/) is a person who is invested with the care or cure (cura) of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries the term curate is commonly used of assistant clergy to the parish priest. The duties or office of a curate are called a curacy (as the office of a president is a presidency).
Read more about Curate: Etymology, Roman Catholicism, Anglican Communion, History, Minor Canons
Famous quotes containing the word curate:
“It is indolence ... indolence and love of ease; a want of all laudable ambition, of taste for good company, or of inclination to take the trouble of being agreeable, which make men clergymen. A clergyman has nothing to do but be slovenly and selfish; read the newspaper, watch the weather, and quarrel with his wife. His curate does all the work and the business of his own life is to dine.”
—Jane Austen (1775–1817)
“A Curate there is something which excites compassion in the very name of a curate!!!”
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845)