In English ecclesiastical law . The right of presentation to a church or ecclesiastical benefice; the right of presenting a fit person to the bishop, to be by him admitted and instituted to a certain benefice within the diocese, which has become vacant. 2 Bl. Comm. 21; Co. Litt. 1196, 120a. The person enjoying this right is called the “patron” (patronus) of the church, and was formerly termed “advocatus,” the advocate or defender, or in English, “advowee.” Id.; 1 Crabb, Real Prop, p. 129,
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
