quote: " Pope Benedict VIII responded to the decline in priestly morality by issuing a rule prohibiting the children of priests from inheriting property."
Should you wish to dig further, understand that there is a relevant distinction here is that some priests are part of religious communities (e.g., Dominicans, Franciscans, Jesuits, Congregation of Holy Cross, Paulists, Salesians, etc.) and some are diocesan priests whose rules are different.
Strictly in my own personal history, my great uncle was a monk in a benedictine monestary in Washington state. Upon his death, while still in the cloistered community, all his assets were transferred to the church since it occurred without a will or testament. His son was left with his bills and any attempts to regain anything would have required a trip to Rome. Rather fucked up.
Best non biased and fully historical perspective can be found here. https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/696
quote: " Pope Benedict VIII responded to the decline in priestly morality by issuing a rule prohibiting the children of priests from inheriting property."
Should you wish to dig further, understand that there is a relevant distinction here is that some priests are part of religious communities (e.g., Dominicans, Franciscans, Jesuits, Congregation of Holy Cross, Paulists, Salesians, etc.) and some are diocesan priests whose rules are different.
Strictly in my own personal history, my great uncle was a monk in a benedictine monestary in Washington state. Upon his death, while still in the cloistered community, all his assets were transferred to the church since it occurred without a will or testament. His son was left with his bills and any attempts to regain anything would have required a trip to Rome. Rather fucked up.