Simony

In Ecclesiastical Law. The selling and buying of holy orders or an ecclesiastical benefice. Bacon, Abr. Simony. By simony is also understood an unlawful agreement to receive a temporal reward for something holy or spiritual.

Code 1. 3. 31; Ayliffe, Parerg. 496.

Giving or receiving any material advantage in return for spiritual promotion, whether such advantage be actually received or only stipulated for.

Jenks, Mod. Land L. 220.

A presentation proved to be influenced by pecuniary motives is void and there is a forfeiture of the turn to the crown. Cases of constructive simony are conveyance of a next presentation during vacancy; the purchase of a next presentation by a clerk (clergyman), if it be followed by his own presentation; and the acceptance of a benefice subject to an engagement for resignation. But a cleric may buy a life interest in an admission and present himself or buy an admission and present himself, and after induction sell it; id. General resignation bonds (to resign on request) are void; see Cunningham, Simony; as also are specific bonds (to resign in favor of a specified person); 3 Bing. 501.