Pluralities Act 1838

XLII Every Petition for Licence for Non-residence to be in Writing, and to state certain Particulars.

And be it enacted, That every Spiritual Person applying for a Licence, for Non-residence shall present to the Bishop a Petition signed by himself or by some Person approved by the Bishop in that Behalf, and shall state therein whether such Spiritual Person intends to perform the Duty of his Benefice in Person, and in that Case where and at what Distance from the Church or Chapel of such Benefice he intends to reside; and if he intends to employ, a Curate such Petition shall state what Salary he proposes to give to such Curate, and whether the Curate proposes to reside or not to reside in the Parish in which such Benefice is situate; and if the Curate intends to reside therein, then whether in the House of Residence belonging to such Benefice, or in some and what other House; and if he does not intend to reside in the Parish, then such Petition shall state at what Distance therefrom, and at what Place, such Curate intends to reside, and whether such Curate serves any other and what Parish as Incumbent or Curate, or has any and what Cathedral Preferment, and any and what Benefice, or officiates in any other and what Church or Chapel; and such Petition shall also state the annual Value and the Population of the Benefice in respect of which any Licence for Non-residence shall be applied for, and the Number, of Churches or Chapels, if more than One, upon such Benefice, and the Date of the Admission of such Spiritual Person to the said Benefice ; and it shall not be lawful for the Bishop to grant any such Licence unless such Petition shall contain a Statement of the several Particulars aforesaid; and every such Petition shall be filed in the Registry of the Diocese by the Registrar thereof, and shall be open to Inspection, and Copies thereof made, with the Leave in Writing of the Bishop.