The territorial prelature or territorial abbey is a certain portion of the people of God, territorially limited, which, due to special circumstances, are entrusted to a prelate or abbot who rules them as a diocesan bishop, as their pastor Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/local/22059
Prel'a·ture (?; 135), Prel'a*ture*ship noun [ French prélature , or Late Latin praelatura .] The state or dignity of a prelate; prelacy. Milman. Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/P/150