Secular State - Law Dictionary Search Results

Benefit of clergy

the clergy very bountiful privileges and exemptions, and particularly an immunity of their persons in criminal proceedings before secular judges. The clergy, afterwards increasing in wealth, number, and power, claimed this benefit as an indefeasible right, which … [privilegium clericale, Lat.], an arrest of judgment in criminal cases. The origin of it was this: Princes and states, anciently converted to Christianity, granted to the clergy very bountiful privileges and exemptions, and particularly an immunity of