Published: 2026-03-17

THE CLERGY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN POLAND AT THE END OF THE MIDDLE AGES AND IN THE MODERN PERIOD. FOR THE SAKE OF THE PROPER SEMANTIC FIELD OF CONCEPTS

Sławomir Zabraniak
Civitas et Lex
Section: History
https://doi.org/10.31648/cetl.12095

Abstract

Many publications have been written on the Latin (Roman Catholic) Church, its clergy, its role in political and social life, and its riches, the merits of which can be assessed in various ways. Popular opinion, especially among some groups unfavorable or even hostile to the Church, still perpetuates myths that bear little resemblance to truth.This text first discusses the clergy (clerical order), which was much larger than today. The clergy included all men who had undergone the rite of tonsure and held various degrees of ordination. It also explains the key concepts of the time, such as benefice and patronage. The internal division of the clergy and the principles of appointment to various ecclesiastical offices and dignities are also discussed.

Keywords:

Roman Catholic Church, Poland, clergy, tonsure, degrees of ordination, canonical title of ordination, benefice, accumulation of benefices, patronage, ecclesiastical office, ecclesiastical dignity, expectancy

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Citation rules

Zabraniak, S. (2026). THE CLERGY OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN POLAND AT THE END OF THE MIDDLE AGES AND IN THE MODERN PERIOD. FOR THE SAKE OF THE PROPER SEMANTIC FIELD OF CONCEPTS: . Civitas Et Lex, 49(1), 7–20. https://doi.org/10.31648/cetl.12095

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