Clerical disabilities act

[SteveB]

Hi,

Does anyone know what the clerical disabilities act was/is? And why would someone avail himself of its provison in the 1880s?

Thanks,

Steve

[Guy Etchells]

It was a way a cleric could resign from Holy Orders thus becoming eligible to stand for parialment etc.
Cheers
Guy

[SteveB]

Thanks for that Guy. Do you - or indeed anyone else - know why such an act was necessary?

I believe it was implemented in 1870 - does anyone know what happened before then?

Cheers,

Steve

[Guy Etchells]

They took advantage of the similar 1660 Act (not sure of exact date offhand may have been 62 or 64
Cheers
Guy

[Mapstone]

This is the Act which allows a cleric of the C of E, after resigning his preferments, to execute a Deed of Relinquishment and thereby regain such civil rights as he lost through being a clergyman.