Curious census entry

[Jackiemh]

I was looking at the 1881 Census for West Ham and came across this entry:
Charles Selwood   age 40(?) Occupation M.A. without care of souls, born Devon.
Was he a vicar without a parish?
Jackie

[suey]

Yes  that's exactly right!  More clergy than parishes in those days, unlike today where our local vicar looks after four and a neighbouring parish where theirs has five.  We are in the country though and the parishes are smaller.

[groom]

Yes.

This is a good source for occupation meanings

http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/c2.html

[Jackiemh]

Thank you - it just sounded odd.
What a lovely site with the old occupations listed, I have made a note of
that one.
Thanks again
Jackie

[stanmapstone]

The bishop has the universal cure of souls in a diocese but, subject to this, the incumbent of a benefice (or team rector and team vicar(s) in a team ministry) has the exclusive cure of souls within his or her parish or parishes, originally the person given the cure was called the Curate.

Stan

[Melbell]

Yes, the 'deputy' priest in a parish, usually called 'the curate' is properly 'the assistant curate'.

Melbell