What's the difference between an Associate Pastor and a Parochial Vicar?

[DominicanHeart]

I know every Parish has a Pastor but my Parish also has a Parochial Vicar and we do not have an Associate Pastor. I'm wondering what the difference is? Do they have different duties?

[LittleWaySoul]

I'm pretty sure they're the same position. Parochial Vicar is simply the canonical term for Associate Pastor.

"Vicar" is used when someone has vicarious power of some sort. Hence "Parochial Vicar" means roughly "to have vicarious power of the parish priest." Thus, "Associate Pastor" and "Parochial Vicar" really mean the same thing.  

Edited July 31, 2016 by LittleWaySoul