Buying or selling of church offices or powers. The name is taken from Simon Magus (Acts 8: 18), who tried to buy the power of conferring the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Simony was said to have become widespread in Europe in the 10th-11th century, as promotions to the priesthood or episcopate were bestowed by monarchs and nobles, often in exchange for oaths of loyalty. Changes in the understanding of the nature of simony and the relationship between lay and religious orders contributed to the perception of the growth of simony, even though corrupt practices did exist. Rigorously attacked by Pope Gregory VII and the reform movement associated with him, the practice recurred in the 15th century, but after the 16th century its more flagrant forms disappeared
A type of bribe It is paying money or giving gifts in return for a church office See Abuses by the clergy
The buying or selling of ecclesiastical offices, pardons, or spiritual powers A widespread practice in Western Europe during the Middle Ages under the Church of Rome, where men bought jobs ranging from parish priest to Pope
Buying and selling church livings; any unlawful traffic in holy things So called from Simon Magus, who wanted to purchase the gift of the Holy Ghost, that he might have the power of working miracles (Acts viii 9-23 ) Simony The friar in the tale of Reynard the Fox; so called from Simon Magus
The deliberate intention and act of selling and/or buying spiritual goods or material things so connected with the spiritual that they cannot be separated therefrom; a violation of the virtue of religion, and a sacrilege, because it wrongfully puts a material price on spiritual things, which cannot be either sold or bought In church law, actual sale or purchase is subject to censure in some cases The term is derived from the name of Simon Magus, who attempted to buy from Sts Peter and John the power to confirm people in the Holy Spirit (Acts 8: 4‑24)
The crime of buying or selling ecclesiastical preferment; the corrupt presentation of any one to an ecclesiastical benefice for money or reward
The attempt to purchase the gifts of the Holy Spirit with money (the name comes from the Simon the Magician mentioned in Acts of the Apostles) It was applied especially to direct payment for church office, but could also be used to denote any kind of favour or benefit offered to acquire a church office or a church sacrament
The buying or selling of an ecclesiastical office, a Sacrament, or some other sacred thing Considered an extremely serious sin