Simony - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition simony

Definition :

Simony, ['payment for things spiritual'] the corrupt presentation of, or the corrupt agreement to present any one to an ecclesiastical benefice for reward. It is derived from Simon Magus, who offered money to the Apostles for the power to work miracles (Acts viii. 18-24). It is an offence by statute 31 Eliz. c. 6, which by s. 5, 'for the avoiding of simony,' directs that the corrupt presentation shall be void, and the presentation shall go to the Crown, and the Clerical Subscription Act, 1865 (28 & 29 Vict. c. 122), required a declaration against simony to be subscribed by every person about to be instituted or collated to any benefice or to be licensed to any perpetual curacy, lectureship, or preachership. This declaration, which was only to the effect that the declarant had not been party to any contract to the best of his knowledge simoaniacal, is now superseded by a far more effective and specific declaration scheduled to the Benefices Act, 1898 (61 & 62 Vict. c. 48), which declaration, however, contains a saving for Resignation Bonds (see RESIGNATION).

The unlawful practice of giving or receiving money or gifts in exchange for spiritual promotion, esp. the unlawful buying or selling of a right to present clergy to a vacant benefice, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 1388