Legal Definitions - advowee

An advowee is a patron who possesses an advowson, meaning they have the right to nominate or appoint a priest to a church position. The term "advowee paramount" refers to the highest patron, such as the sovereign.

An advowee is an individual or entity that holds an advowson, which is the legal right to nominate or present a candidate for a vacant ecclesiastical benefice. In simpler terms, the advowee possesses the historical privilege of choosing who will serve in a specific church position, such as a parish priest or vicar, subject to the approval of the appropriate ecclesiastical authority (like a bishop).

This concept is deeply rooted in English ecclesiastical law and reflects a historical system where the right to appoint clergy was often tied to land ownership or the endowment of a church.

• Example 1: A Landowner's Right

  Imagine a wealthy landowner, Lady Eleanor, in 17th-century England. Her family originally built and endowed the local parish church centuries ago. As a result, her family has historically held the advowson for that church.

  Explanation: When the current vicar of the parish church passes away, Lady Eleanor, as the advowee, has the legal right to propose a new priest to the bishop for appointment to the vacant position. She exercises her family's long-standing privilege to select the spiritual leader for that community.

• Example 2: An Academic Institution's Privilege

  Consider a historic university college, such as "King's College," which was founded with significant endowments, including the advowson for several rural parishes.

  Explanation: If the rector of one of these parishes retires, King's College, acting as the advowee, would convene its governing body to select and present a suitable candidate to the diocesan bishop. The college's historical right allows it to influence the appointment of clergy in those specific churches.

• Example 3: The Crown as Ultimate Patron

  In certain historical circumstances, or if an advowson was not held by a private individual or institution, the right to appoint a priest for a particular church could revert to the monarch.

  Explanation: In such a case, the reigning sovereign, or the Crown acting through its representatives, would become the advowee paramount. This means the Crown holds the ultimate right to present a candidate for the vacant church position, demonstrating the highest level of patronage in the ecclesiastical system.