The promoter of the cause in a process of beatification or canonization. Advocate of the Church, lay official, in the Middle Ages, charged with the defense of Church temporalities, both in civilcourts and, in later times, in the field; he received in return part of the Church revenues. Under the feudal system the princes appointed the advocates by their own authority, and in many places the office became hereditary, which led to grave 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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