The title originally given to a provisional administrator of a vacant abbey (held in commendam, i.e.,in trust); later given for life with a claim to abbatial revenues and some degree of jurisdiction, if held by an ecclesiastic. It was ultimately abolished almost entirely, owing to serious abuses.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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