Simony
Defined in 8 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893), Anderson (1889), Stimson (1881), Abbott (1879)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
In ecclesiastical law. The selling and buying of holy orders or an ecclesiastical benefice. Bac. Abr. By "simony" is also understood an unlawful agreement to receive a temporal reward for something holy or spiritual. Code, 1. 3. 31; Ayliffe, Par. 496.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
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.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Law Dictionary and Glossary
George C. Kinney · 1893
In English ecclesiastical law. The presentation of any one to an ecclesiastical benefice, for money or reward.
A Dictionary of Law
William C. Anderson · 1889
The corrupt presentation of one to au ecclesiastical benefice for money,' gift, or reward. 8 So called from resemblance to the sin of Simon Magus."
Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law
Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881
The corrupt presentation to an ecclesiastical benefice.
Dictionary of Terms and Phrases Used in American or English Jurisprudence
Benjamin Vaughan Abbott · 1879
The corrupt presentation of any one to an ecclesiastical benefice, for money, gift, or reward; and any resignation or exchange for money is deemed corrupt, however fair the transblance it bears to the sin of Simon Magus. 3 Coke Inst. 156. The offence has been generally committed either by the purchase of the next presentation to a living actually vacant, or by a clergyman purchasing, either in his own name or another's, the next presentation to a living, and afterwards presenting, or cauiiing himself to be presented thereto. See Cowel; 1 Bl. Com. 889, 893; 2 Id. 278-281.