In ecclesiastical law, the name given to those who exercise ordinary jurisdiction in the external forum. As ordinary jurisdiction is by law attached to an office, he who has canonical possession of an office, can exercise the jurisdiction pertaining to the office. Therefore beside the Roman Pontiff, the name ordinary is applied to those who rule a diocese or a district tantamount to a diocese; i.e.,diocesan bishops and their vicars general, prelates nullius and their vicars, vicars Apostolic and prefects; also vicars capitular and administrators during the vacancy of a see. Finally, superiors of exempt religious orders, i.e.,superiors-general, abbots primate, provincials, as well as abbots of single exempt monasteries and their representatives, are called simple Ordinaries, and not Ordinaries loci.