Legal Definitions - rector

Definition: A rector is a spiritual leader and presiding officer of a parish in Ecclesiastical law. They are also known as a parson. A lay rector is a non-clerical rector, and a rector sinecure is a rector who does not have the cure of souls. In Roman law, a rector is a governor or ruler, and a rector provinciae is a governor of a province.

• Rev. John Smith is the rector of St. Mary's Church.
• As a lay rector, Mr. Johnson is responsible for the upkeep of the church building.
• Although he holds the title of rector, Mr. Brown is a rector sinecure and does not have any pastoral duties.
• In ancient Rome, a rector provinciae was appointed to govern a province.

These examples illustrate the different meanings of the term "rector" in Ecclesiastical and Roman law. In Ecclesiastical law, a rector is a spiritual leader of a parish, while in Roman law, a rector is a governor or ruler. The examples also show the different types of rectors, such as a lay rector and a rector sinecure.