Legal Definitions - accipe ecclesiam

Accipe ecclesiam is a historical Latin phrase that translates to "receive this church" or "receive this living." In the context of historical ecclesiastical law, it was a formal declaration made by a patron when presenting a chosen clergyman to a vacant parish or church position. This phrase signified the patron's official act of bestowing upon the candidate the rights, responsibilities, and often the associated income (the "living") of that particular church.

Here are some examples illustrating the use of accipe ecclesiam:

• Imagine a powerful medieval baron, Lord Ashworth, who held the patronage rights over the small parish church of St. Jude's within his domain. When the previous rector passed away, leaving the parish vacant, Lord Ashworth chose Father Thomas, a respected scholar, to fill the position. During the formal presentation ceremony before the bishop, Lord Ashworth would have declared, "Accipe ecclesiam," thereby formally granting Father Thomas the spiritual charge of St. Jude's and the associated income and dwelling.

  This example illustrates the baron, as the patron, using the phrase to formally transfer the "living" (the church and its benefits) to Father Thomas, the chosen incumbent.

• Consider a wealthy merchant guild in a bustling 15th-century city that had endowed and maintained a chapel dedicated to their patron saint. As part of their charter, the guild held the right to appoint the chaplain for this chapel. When the position became open, the guild's master, representing the collective patronage, would present their chosen candidate, Brother Gregory, to the ecclesiastical authorities. The declaration "Accipe ecclesiam" would have marked the official moment Brother Gregory received the spiritual care of the chapel and its associated stipend from the guild.

  Here, the guild acts as the patron, and the phrase signifies their formal act of bestowing the chaplaincy (the "church" or "living") upon Brother Gregory.

• In 18th-century England, a prominent aristocratic family, the Montagues, possessed the advowson for several rural parishes due to ancient land grants. When the vicarage of Little Haddon became vacant, the head of the Montague family, Lady Eleanor, selected a young clergyman, Reverend Arthur, whom she deemed suitable. At the formal induction, Lady Eleanor, as the patron, would have used the phrase "Accipe ecclesiam" to signify her official presentation of Reverend Arthur to the bishop, thereby confirming his right to the parish and its emoluments.

  This example shows a noble family as the patron, using "Accipe ecclesiam" to formally present and grant the rights to the parish ("the church or living") to the chosen clergyman.