Patronage

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 521.

All rectors and vicars are appointed by patrons, who may be private individuals, corporate bodies such as cathedrals, colleges or trusts, or by the bishop or even appointed directly by the Crown. In effect patronage (also called advowson) means the right to nominate, or suggest, a person to hold a church office in a parish; the final decision will be the bishop's.

Historically it was most often the local landowner who was responsible both for the building of a church and the upkeep of priests. With time such rights, and sometimes land, often passed into the hands of Bishops and religious foundations (including such places as Oxford and Cambridge colleges). Patronage is regarded as property, and could be bought and sold, as well as inherited, but after reforms of parish administration in the 19th century it has little commercial value. Patronages were valued for a number of reasons, including as a means for the patron to influence the parish through the appointee or to simply reward the appointee for services rendered. The incumbent of a prosperous parish might receive a very comfortable, even elegant house — the rectory or vicarage or parsonage — and a very good living. Lately, the role of Patrons in appointments has been significantly reduced. In contrast, more and more of the role has been taken on by Diocesan officials.