One who erects or maintains a benefice; if a church is necessary for a benefice, one who gives the land, builds the church and provides for its maintenance; or, one who does any of these three things. The right of patronage is the sum of rights and obligations of a person, the patron, in connection with the assignment or administration of a benefice. As this right is of a spiritual order, it is subject to ecclesiastical jurisdiction, though the property involved is a matter for the civillaw and court. Patronage may be acquired by inheritance, presentation by the patron to another, by exchange, purchase, or prescrlption. The rights of patronage are:
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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