simony

American  

[sahy-muh-nee, sim-uh-] / ˈsaɪ mə ni, ˈsɪm ə- /

noun

1. the making of profit out of sacred things.

2. the sin of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferments, benefices, etc.

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simony British  

/ ˈsaɪmənɪ /

noun

1. Christianity the practice, now usually regarded as a sin, of buying or selling spiritual or Church benefits such as pardons, relics, etc, or preferments

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Other Word Forms

• simonist noun

Etymology

Origin of simony

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English simonie, from Late Latin simōnia; so called from Simon Magus, who tried to purchase apostolic powers; Simon ( def. 5 ), -y ³

Example Sentences

In describing the cash gifts Bransfield gave to other clergy members, Quirk used the term “simony” — the buying or selling of church offices or positions.

From Washington Post

It is true that these instances of simony and of the use of influence belong to the last degenerate years of the monasteries in England.

From Project Gutenberg

Another root has been sought in Lambert-le-Bègue, or the Stammerer, a priest of St. Christopher at Liège, about 1180, who became prominent by denouncing the simony of the canons of the cathedral.

From Project Gutenberg

Under these circumstances simony, with all its attendant evils, was almost universal, and those evils made themselves everywhere felt on the character both of electors and elected.

From Project Gutenberg

The emperor assisted Pope Clement in his efforts to banish simony.

From Project Gutenberg