Simony Act 1588 facts for kids
| Act of Parliament | |
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| Long title | An Acte against Abuses in Election of Scollers and presentacions to Benefices. |
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| Citation | 31 Eliz. 1. c. 6 |
| Territorial extent | England |
| Other legislation | |
| Amended by | Statute Law Revision Act 1948 Common Informers Act 1951 Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 |
| Repealed by | — |
| Relates to | Simony Act 1688 |
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Status: Amended
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| Revised text of statute as amended | |
The Simony Act 1588 is an important law from the Parliament of England. It was created in the year 1588. This law aimed to stop unfair practices within the church.
It is also known by its official number, 31 Eliz. 1. c. 6. This helps people find the exact law in historical records.
Contents
What is Simony?
This law deals with something called simony. Simony is when someone tries to buy or sell jobs or special roles in the church. It also includes buying or selling sacred, or holy, things.
For example, if someone paid money to become a priest, that would be simony. The church saw this as a very serious problem. It went against the rules of the Church of England.
Why was Simony a Problem?
Simony was a problem because church jobs should be given based on faith and ability. They should not be bought or sold like regular goods. This practice was seen as corrupt and unfair.
It meant that people who were not truly dedicated might get important church positions. This could harm the church's mission and its reputation.
Rules of the Act
The Simony Act 1588 set out punishments for anyone who committed simony. These rules were part of the ecclesiastical law, which is the special law of the church.
The Act was designed to keep the church pure and fair. It wanted to make sure that church roles were given out properly.
What Happens if You Break the Law?
Under section 4 of this Act, there are clear consequences. If a church job was given unfairly, the King or Queen could declare it invalid. This means the person would lose the job.
The person who committed simony could also be stopped from making any future church appointments. They might also have to pay a large fine, up to £1,000. This was a lot of money back in 1588.
The Act Today
Even though it is a very old law, the Simony Act 1588 is still mostly in effect. It applies in England and Wales even today.
However, some parts of it have changed over time. For example, clergy (church leaders) no longer have to promise they haven't committed simony when they become priests.
How Simony is Handled Now
Today, if someone is accused of simony, it is usually treated as "misconduct." This means it is seen as bad behavior by a church official.
These cases are now handled under a more modern set of rules. These rules are found in the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003. This measure helps keep the church fair and honest in modern times.
