Legal Definitions - in pios usus

in pios usus

In pios usus is a Latin phrase that means "for pious uses" or "for religious purposes." It was used in the past to refer to property that was claimed by or used by the church, especially when the owner of the property had no known heirs.

• When the wealthy landowner died without any heirs, his estate was given to the church in pios usus.
• The church claimed the abandoned building in pios usus and turned it into a homeless shelter.

These examples show how the phrase "in pios usus" was used to describe property that was given to or claimed by the church for religious purposes. In both cases, the property was used to help others, which was considered a pious or religious act.