Incumbent (ecclesiastical)

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The incumbent of a benefice, usually the parish priest, in Anglican canon law holds the temporalities or assets and income. The incumbent has legal possession of the church and glebe for the term of his office, but shares with the churchwardens the responsibility for them. Formerly, an incumbent rector would enjoy the assets and receive all the tithes of a parish, but might appoint a vicar to discharge all the spiritual duties of the office at a lesser salary.

A parish priest who does not receive the temporalities may be a priest in charge or bishop's curate.

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