Mass bequest

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A bequest for a Mass occurs when a person leaves a bequest in their will for a Mass to be said for the repose of their soul.[1]

Legal status

In England after the Reformation such bequests were deemed to be invalid in law as "superstitious" until 1919, when the House of Lords held them to be valid.[2]

In Ireland a judgment of the Court of Chancery in 1823 found that in that country such bequests had always been legally valid.[3]

References

  1. ^ Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Bequests for Masses" . Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
  2. ^ Bourne v Keane [1919] AC 815
  3. ^ In re Walsh, Court of Chancery (Ireland), 1823