simony
pronunciation
How to pronounce simony in British English:
UK ['saɪmənɪ]
How to pronounce simony in American English:
US ['saɪmənɪ]
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- Noun:
- traffic in ecclesiastical offices or preferments
Word Origin
- simony
- simony: [13] Simony, a term which denotes the ‘selling of ecclesiastical offices’, perpetuates the name of Simon Magus. He was a Samaritan who according to Acts 8:18–20 tried to buy the power of conferring the Holy Ghost on people: ‘And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money’.
- simony (n.)
- c. 1200, "the sin of buying or selling sacred things," from Old French simonie "selling of church offices" (12c.), from Late Latin simonia, from Simon Magus, the Samaritan magician who was rebuked by Peter when he tried to buy the power of conferring the Holy Spirit (Acts viii:18-20). Related: Simoniac; simoniacal.
Example
- 1. Abuses such as simony , nepotism , and financial excesses increased .
- 2. The two most flagrant , universally visible evils that afflicted religious life as these new-style popes began their great task were simony and clerical immorality .
- 3. If the election is made in another way and of a different kind of person than the above or by the wickedness of simony , the election shall be invalid and null by law .
- 4. If the said confirmers shall confirm elections in contravention of the above regulations or in respect of unsuitable persons or involving simony , such confirmations are automatically null .