Legal Definitions - accipe ecclesiam

Accipe Ecclesiam

Accipe Ecclesiam is a Latin phrase that means "Receive this church or living." It was commonly used by Patrons when presenting an incumbent to a vacant parish in Ecclesiastical law.

When a Patron presented an incumbent to a vacant parish, they would say "Accipe Ecclesiam" to the new incumbent. This phrase was a formal way of handing over the responsibility of the church or living to the new person in charge.

Another similar phrase that was used in the same context was "Trado tibi ecclesiam," which means "I deliver this church [or living] to you."

These phrases were important in Ecclesiastical law because they signified the transfer of power and responsibility from one person to another in the church hierarchy.