Legal Definitions - advocatus ecclesiae

ADVOCATUS ECCLESIAE

Advocatus ecclesiae is a Latin term used in historical ecclesiastical law. It refers to the patron of a benefice, which is a church position that provides income to the holder.

An example of an advocatus ecclesiae would be a wealthy individual who financially supports a church and is granted the right to appoint a priest to a benefice within that church.

Another example would be a noble family who has a long-standing tradition of supporting a particular church and is granted the right to appoint a priest to a benefice within that church.

The examples illustrate how an advocatus ecclesiae was a person or group who had the power to appoint a priest to a benefice within a church. This was often granted as a reward for financial or other support given to the church. The advocatus ecclesiae would have significant influence over the church and its operations, as they were responsible for appointing the person who would hold a position of authority within the church.