Curate
A curate is a term used in various Christian religions who possess an ordained ministry to describe a priest who is not a parish priest but operates in effect as his or her deputy. Some larger parishes may have more than one curate. Most curates are eventually raised to become a parish priest in another parish as the older priests retire or die.The expression "a curate's egg" meaning something that is partly good and partly bad and thus not wholly satisfactory, arises from the publication of cartoon in Punch on 9 November 1895. The cartoon, drawn by George du Maurier and entitled "True Humility", featured a timid looking curate taking breakfast in his bishop's house. The bishop says "I'm afraid you've got a bad egg, Mr Jones". Apparently trying not to cause offence the curate replies, "Oh, no, my Lord, I assure you that parts of it are excellent!". [1]
See:
- Vicar
- rector
- parish priest
- Church of England
- Church of Ireland
- Roman Catholic
- Orthodox