Editing Prefect (section)

==Ecclesiastical==
[[File:Sainte Marguerite et Olibrius.jpg|thumb|right|[[Saint Margaret the Virgin|Saint Margaret]] attracts the attention of the Roman prefect, by [[Jean Fouquet]] from an [[illuminated manuscript]]]]
{{Catholic Church hierarchy sidebar|Administrative and pastoral titles}}

The term is used by the [[Catholic Church]], which based much of its canon law terminology on Roman law, in several different ways.
* The [[Roman Curia]] has the nine Prefects for the [[Congregation (Roman Curia)|Congregations]] as well as the two of the Papal Household and of the Economic Affairs of the Holy See.
* The title also attaches to the heads of some [[Pontifical Council]] (central departments of the Curia), who are principally titled president, but in addition there is sometimes an additional ''ex officio'' position as a prefect. For example, the president of the [[Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue]] is also the prefect of the Commission for Religious Relations with Muslims.
*Traditionally these Curial officials are [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|Cardinals]], hence often called "Cardinal-Prefect" or "Cardinal-President".  There was a custom that those who were not cardinals when they were appointed were titled "Pro-Prefect" or "Pro-President". Then these officials would be appointed prefect or president after their elevation to the Sacred College. However, since 1998, this custom has fallen into disuse.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}
* A [[Prefect Apostolic]] is a cleric (sometimes a [[Titular Bishop]], but normally a priest) in charge of an [[apostolic prefecture]], a type of Roman Catholic territorial jurisdiction fulfilling the functions of a diocese, usually in a missionary area or in a country that is anti-religious, such as the People's Republic of China, but that is not yet given the status of regular diocese. It is usually destined to become one in time.