patronate

Patronate is a term used to denote the office, rights, or status of a patron, particularly in historical and ecclesiastical contexts. The word derives from the Latin patronatus, from patronus, meaning a protector or advocate. In its traditional sense, patronate refers to the legal or customary rights that a patron held over a church or benefice, especially the right of presentation to a parish or other ecclesiastical living.

In ecclesiastical law, a patron could be a noble family, religious house, corporation, town, or other entity endowed with the authority to nominate a candidate for a church office. The process typically involved the patron presenting a candidate to the bishop or ordinary for appointment, with the appointment subsequently confirmed according to canonical requirements. The scope of the patron’s rights and the procedures for presentation varied across regions and historical periods.

Modern usage varies by jurisdiction. In many places, the traditional practice of presenting clergy has been reformed or restricted, and the formal patronage rights have diminished or been regulated by civil or church law. Nevertheless, the concept persists in some Anglican and other ecclesiastical traditions, where patronage or the right of presentation remains an element of canon law or church governance. The term patronate can also appear in historical or legal writings to describe the broader institution or body of patrons supporting an ecclesiastical foundation.

Beyond ecclesiastical contexts, patronate may be encountered in discussions of patronage more generally, referring to the influence, favorable support, or sponsorship provided by patrons to institutions, artists, scholars, or organizations. In such uses, the term emphasizes the relationship and rights associated with patrons and their benefactions.