Legal Definitions - temporality

Temporality refers to the worldly or secular aspects of power, authority, or property, particularly when distinguished from spiritual or ecclesiastical (church-related) matters.

It can describe:

• The civil or political power exercised by a government, as opposed to the religious authority of a church.
• The non-spiritual assets, such as land, buildings, or income, owned or controlled by a religious institution or official.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of temporality:

• Example 1 (Civil Power vs. Ecclesiastical Power):

  A national government passes laws regulating marriage and divorce for all citizens, establishing legal requirements and procedures. Meanwhile, various religious denominations within the country offer their own spiritual guidance and rituals for marriage, adhering to their specific doctrines.

  The government's authority to create and enforce these civil laws represents its temporality – its secular power over its citizens and the legal framework of the state. This is distinct from the spiritual guidance or religious doctrines on marriage offered by a church, which operates under ecclesiastical authority. The government's power here is worldly and applies to all, regardless of religious affiliation.

• Example 2 (Secular Properties of a Religious Institution):

  A large diocese, in addition to its churches and schools, owns several commercial office buildings in the city center. These buildings are rented out to various businesses, generating significant income that the diocese uses to fund its charitable programs and maintain its religious properties.

  These commercial office buildings are considered part of the diocese's temporalities. They are secular properties, not used for religious services or directly for spiritual instruction, but rather as a source of revenue. This income is distinct from donations received during religious ceremonies or funds specifically allocated for spiritual missions, highlighting the worldly assets managed by a religious body.

• Example 3 (Historical Context - Separation of Powers):

  During the medieval period, a powerful duke might assert his right to collect taxes from all landowners within his territory, including the abbots of local monasteries, to fund his military campaigns and maintain roads. Simultaneously, the local bishop would exercise spiritual jurisdiction over the clergy and laypeople, administering sacraments and enforcing church law.

  The duke's right to tax and command resources for state purposes illustrates his temporality – his secular, political power over the land and its inhabitants. This power was often in tension with the spiritual authority of the Church, which claimed its own jurisdiction and sometimes resisted secular taxation of its properties or clergy. The duke's actions were rooted in his worldly governance, not his spiritual role.