Just like the Parochial Vicar represents the Pastor around the parish. The Vicar General is appointed in a diocese as the "alter ego" (other self) of the bishop to assist him in the administration and pastoral care of the diocese. The power of the vicar-general, by reason of his office and deputation, extends to all causes in the ordinary episcopal jurisdiction, except those which common law or the bishop may have reserved or made dependent on a special mandate.

The wide powers of administration now enjoyed by the vicar-general belonged formerly to the archdeacon. A vicar general reports directly to the bishop. The papacy first used this title in the 6th century; earlier they used the title "vicar of Saint Peter" or vicarius principis apostolorum, the "vicar of the chief of the apostles". As to their powers: vicars are constituted either in divinis, as parochial vicars and auxiliary bishops, or created vicars in jurisdiction, as vicars capitular and vicars general, to exercise power in the external forum, either voluntary or contentious. He is a cleric legitimately deputed to exercise generally the episcopal jurisdiction in the name of the bishop, so that his acts are reputed the acts of the bishop himself. He sees his role as a mediator between the bishop and the faithful, the clergy and the diocesan offices. Father Ferguson first became vicar general in the fall of 2015 under Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde. By this office, the Vicar General is an extension of part of the bishop's executive power - handling issues regarding policy and procedure in the diocese. He is usually the moderator of the curia, also known as the diocesan offices. Think of the Vicar General as the bishop’s prime minister, vice president, or deputy sherrif. He makes decisions following the intention and the mind of the bishop. The tribunal of the vicar-general is one with the bishops, and The Vicar General assists the Bishop in his administration of the diocese. The Pope uses the title Vicarius Christi, meaning the vicar of Christ. A vicar is a cleric who takes the place of another and exercises authority in the other’s name, in accord with the prescriptions of canon law. Vicar-General, the highest official of a diocese after the ordinary.

The role of vicar general requires a close working relationship between the diocesan bishop and the priest appointed as vicar general to ensure that the bishop’s vicar general understands the thinking of the bishop on those things that impact on the life of the diocese. Also, in many cases the Vicar General is himself a consecrated bishop. A priest who normally represents the Bishop in many different things around the diocese.