Legal Definitions - impropriate rector

Definition: An impropriate rector is a lay person who holds the position of rector in a parish, as opposed to a clerical rector who is a member of the clergy. A rector is the spiritual head and presiding officer of a parish.

Example: If a lay person owns the land on which a church is built, they may be granted the position of impropriate rector. This means they have the right to receive the income from the church, but they are not a member of the clergy and do not have the responsibility of providing spiritual guidance to the parishioners.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a lay person can hold the position of rector in a parish through the concept of impropriation. This was a common practice in medieval times when wealthy landowners would often purchase the right to receive the income from a church. The impropriate rector would then appoint a vicar to provide spiritual guidance to the parishioners.