1.6. Patronage

All rectors and vicars are appointed by patrons, who may be private individuals, corporate bodies such as cathedrals, colleges or trusts, or by the bishop or even appointed directly by the Crown. In effect patronage (also called advowson) means the right to nominate, or suggest, a person to hold a church office in a parish; the final decision will be the bishop’s.

Historically it was most often the local landowner who was responsible both for the building of a church and the upkeep of priests. With time such rights, and sometimes land, often passed into the hands of Bishops and religious foundations (including such places as Oxford and Cambridge colleges). Patronage is regarded as property, and could be bought and sold, as well as inherited, but after reforms of parish administration in the 19th century it has little commercial value. Patronages were valued for a number of reasons, including as a means for the patron to influence the parish through the appointee or to simply reward the appointee for services rendered. The incumbent of a prosperous parish might receive a very comfortable, even elegant house — the rectory or vicarage or parsonage — and a very good living. Lately, the role of Patrons in appointments has been significantly reduced. In contrast, more and more of the role has been taken on by Diocesan officials.

2. Religion in Scotland. National Church of Scotland

The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, The Kirk, is the national church of Scotland. It is a Presbyterian church, founded in 1560 along Calvinist principles, and grew out of the Reformation led by John Knox.

It is recognised in law (by the Church of Scotland Act 1921) as the national church in Scotland, but is not an Established church and is independent of state control in spiritual matters. Although the British Monarch is an ordinary member of the Church of Scotland, she is represented at the General Assembly by the Lord High Commissioner.

'Presbyterian' government refers to the sharing of authority in the church by an equal number of 'elders' (elected from the membership of the church) and ministers. Both are ordained for their special tasks. The local council is the Kirk Session, consisting of elders and the minister. The regional council is the Presbytery, which looks after all the churches in the area. The national council is known as the General Assembly and convenes each year in Edinburgh. This meeting establishes the laws which govern the church and the priorities for the coming year. The most public position in the Church of Scotland is that of Moderator who chairs the General Assembly. It is an honorary (which means unpaid) and elected role held for a year. (For further details, see Table 1)

The indigenous Scottish Episcopal Church, which is part of the Anglican Communion, is a relatively small denomination and not established.

3. Religion in Wales. National church of Wales

The Church in Wales is a member Church of the Anglican Communion, consisting of six dioceses in Wales. The Welsh Church Act 1914 provided for the separation of the dioceses of the Church of England located in Wales known collectively as the Church in Wales from the rest of the Church, and for the simultaneous disestablishment of the Church. The Act came into operation in 1920. As in Scotland the Church of Wales is not an Established church. The Archbishop of Wales holds that post as well as being bishop of one of the six dioceses.