Pluralism

Pluralism, the holding of more than one office at the same time. Persons in power have often added to their wealth and consequence by holding several appointments; but such pluralism is forbidden by the constitutional practice of many modern states. In England a minister who holds two political offices (e.g. those of First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer) receives only half the salary of the second. Pluralism in the church has been held unlawful from the earliest times, and is forbidden by many ancient councils, as Chalcedon (451 A.D.), 2d Nicæa (787 A.D.). This prohibition, however, was not regarded as absolute; canonists distinguish 'compatible' and 'incompatible' benefices or dignities. Two benefices may be incompatible in three ways—(1) if each requires residence; (2) if the duties of both fall to be discharged at one and the same time; or (3) if the revenue of either fully suffices for the becoming maintenance of the incumbent. In other cases benefices or dignities are considered compatible, and with the due dispensation, granted by the pope, may be held by the same person. In England the law of the church has been made more stringent by acts of parliament passed in 1837, 1850, and 1885. The effect of these acts seems to be that no person can now hold two benefices unless the churches are within two miles of each other and one of them is not worth more than £200 a year. A benefice of 3,000 population is not to be held along with a benefice of 500 population. In order to hold two benefices a clergyman must obtain a dispensation from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and on applying for the dispensation he must forward to his bishop a full statement of particulars in regard to the two cases. Acceptance of a second preferment, except in the cases provided for in the acts, will vacate any preferment previously held. The practice of granting livings to be held in commendam with a bishopric has been abolished. In Scotland it is contrary to the old Scotch statute of 1581 for a minister of the Established Church to hold two or more charges, and the rule has been regularly enforced in the case of two pastoral charges. The question has, however, sometimes arisen with reference to clergymen appointed professors before or after an appointment to a pastoral charge, in which case a resignation is now necessary of one of the offices within a certain time after the appointment. Non-established churches, in Great Britain and elsewhere, are guided by the rules of their respective constitutions. See, for England, Cripps, Laics of the Church and Clergy; and for Scotland, Duncan, Parochial Law.