Sedes Vacans (a vacant see), strictly a vacancy of the papal or an episcopal chair, since the term sedes {BpovoQ) is a[iplied only to apostolica, i. e. Roman and other episcopal sees; but it is in use extended to abbeys, prelatures, and all dignities to which the right of collat- ing to benefices belongs. For the rides which govern in the event of the vacation of the papal chair, see Car- dinal; CoNCLAVK; PoPK. This article will be de- voted to the subject with reference to bishoprics only.
A sedes vacans occurs by death, resignation, transla- tion, deprivation, etc., and continues initil a successor has been regularly installed. The current business of a bishopric during such interim was formerly adminis- tered by its presbyterj', but subseiiuently, after the 4th century, by an officer termed intercessor, interventor,
visitator, or commendator, A provision was made that the see should be filled within a j'ear, in order to pre- vent the seizure of the office by the temporary admin- istrators, and also to hinder secular lords from appropri- ating the income of a vacant see. Still later the tem- porary administration was intrusted to the chapters, at first in spiritualia. and afterwards in temporalities as well. The modern usage is based on the decisions of the Council of Trent and of the Comiregatio Concilii. The episcopal Jurisdiction during a vacancy inheres in the chapter, but is administered by one or more "cecon- omists" and a capitular vicar, who may be the general vicar of the late bishop, and all of wliom must be ap- pointed within eight days after knowledge of the va- cancy has been obtained. The capitular vicar must be a doctor or licentiate of canon law, or else possess abili- ties in that direction, and must be taken from the chap- ter if a suitable person can be foimd. W^hen there is no chapter, or when the chapter neglects to appoint ad- ministrat<irs, the metropolitan is empowered to act in its stead if the church be a suffragan church, the oldest suffragan bishop if it be a metropolitan church, and the nearest bishop if it be an exempt church. The capitu- lar vicar is not the agent of the chapter in this instance, but administers independently ; and be is not liable to be deprived of his office without sufficient reason, the determining of which does not rest with the chapter, but with the Com/regatio super Negotiis Kpiscopornm. Certain general limitations, however, restrict his action. All episcopal rights which inhere in the ordo episcopa- lis, or are delegated by the pope, are in abeyance during the vacancy, except as provision for their exercise is otherwise made by the cuiia, or circumstances compel the employment of a neighboring bishop. A year of mourning {annus luctus) is appointed, during which no orders may be conferred within the bishopric, except they become necessary to administer a benefice which has been, or is about to be, received. Nor may the ca- pitular vicar dispose of benefices which are subject to the bishop's collation, or the income of the diocese be in any way employed, except perhaps to pay the salary of the administrator. No real estate may be transferred to other hands, and, iu general, no change which might result in disadvantage to the i'uture bishop may be in- troduced. The sedes vacans ends with the installation of the new bishop, who is authorized to exact a com- plete account of the bishopric and its administration during the interim. A quasi vacans is distinguished from the sedes vacans, for which see Skdes Ijipedita.
On the general subject, comp. the literature given in Putter, Lit. des deutsch. Stautsrechts, vol. iii, § 1461 ; in Kluber's Forfsetzunff, vol. iv, § 1461, p. 528, 529; Ferra- ris, Bibliotheca Cunonica, s. v.; Kitter, Der Capilular- Vikar (IMlinster, 1842) ; Rau, Rechte der Domcapitel, etc.. in the Tiih. theol. Qu art alsch rift, 1842, iii, 365-412; HuUer, Die jurist. Persunlichkeit.d. kath. Domcapitel in Deutschland (Bamberg, I860).— Herzog, lieal-Encyklop. s. V.
Sedgwick, Obadiah, a Nonconformist divine, was born at Marlborough, in Wiltshire, England, in 1600, and educated at (Jueen's College anil at Magdalen Hall, Oxford. He became chaplain to lord Horatio Vere, whom he accompanied to the Netherlands. Returning to Oxford, he was admitted to the reading of sentences in 1629. He preached at St. Mildred's, London, until interrupted by the bishop, and in 1639 became vicar of Coggeshall, Essex. In the rebellion he took part against the Church and State. In 1646 he was preacher at St. Paul's, Covent Garden; and, retiring to Marl- borough, he died there in .January, 1658. The princi- pal of his works are, The Fountain Opened (1657) -.—An Exposition of Psalm xxiii (1658, 4io) -.— The Anatomy of Secret iSii'is (1660) -.—Parable of the Prudi'jal (1660) : — Synopsis of Christianity.
SediI6 (plur. sedilia), the Latin name for a seat, a term which in modern times has come to be pretty gen-
SEDILE
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SEDULIUS
erally applied bj' way of distinction to the seats on the south side of the choir near the altar in churches, used in the Roman Catholic service by the priest and his at- tendants, the deacon and subdeacon, during certain parts of the mass; or in the Episcopal Church for the priests and deacons during the eucharistic service. Sedilia were sometimes movable, but more usually in England were formed of masonry and recessed in the wall like niches. Sedilia are comparatively rare on the Conti- nent, but very numerous examples remain in Great Brit-