The vacancies of parish benefits in 18th-century Salamanca (1700-1749)

Abstract

The beneficial system was the instrument that allowed the clergy to obtain their maintenance. At the same time, it defined the functions that corresponded to each one in the hierarchy of the Church. In principle, its possession was lifelong, although they could be abandoned for different reasons. Analyzing the causes of these vacancies can shed light on an aspect that has been a subject of discussion among Church historians: clerical vocations. Although it was expected that sincere will would mediate access to the clergy, the study shows that economic prospects tipped the balance when deciding to remain in these positions, especially in those that yielded below the minimum subsistence necessary in the clerical state.